Recording medium, recording/reproduction device, and recording/reproduction method

ABSTRACT

A recording medium enabling type determination and writing possibility determination for various types of disks. Opening and closing means for opening and closing a detection hole of a cartridge forms a plane substantially horizontal level with a reference plane of the cartridge at a position of the detection hole when the detection hole is in a closed state. The cartridge has at least a first detection hole and a second detection hole formed therein. The second detection hole (H 1 ) is opened and closed by the opening and closing means, and the first detection hole (H 0 ) is in an open state at all times. A disk drive apparatus or a disk determining method determines, together with a disk type, determining information contents (for example writing possibility) based on one or a plurality of detection holes formed in the cartridge, on the basis of an open/closed state of the detection hole and a result of the disk type using a signal based on reflected light from the loaded recording medium.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division and claims the benefit of priority under35 U.S.C. §120 from U.S. application Ser. No. 10/508,406, filed Sep. 21,2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference,and is based upon and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from the prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2003-024567 filed onJan. 31, 2003 and No. 2004-019432 filed on Jan. 28, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a recording medium in a form of a diskhoused in a cartridge, a recording and reproducing apparatus, and a diskdetermining method.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, various recording media have been developed, and high-densityrecording and the like have been increasing recording capacity. Indeveloping a new recording medium, it is important to maintaincompatibility with past recording media.

As a result of such a situation, various types of recording mediacoexist as recording media in one category (group).

Mini disks (MD: MINI DISC) now in widespread use will be taken as anexample. Mini disks were originally developed for audio recordingpurposes. At that time, a reproduction-only disk on which data is allrecorded by embossed pits on the disk and a recording and reproducingtype disk were provided. The recording and reproducing type disk makesit possible for a user side to record music and the like by recording bya magnetic field modulation system using a magneto-optical disk.

Thereafter, a format referred to as MD-Data was developed to enablerecording and reproduction of not only audio data but also data forcomputer use and the like. Further, a disk that handles data more widelyand has achieved a significant increase in density (the disk is referredto as a “Hi-MD”) has recently been developed. In addition, a new disk ofnew disks that are referred to as Hi-MDs has been developed.

While these disks are different disks in a category of so-called minidisks, the disks are housed in respective cartridges of substantiallythe same shape and size. These disks are able to be loaded into arecording and reproducing apparatus (disk drive apparatus) supportingthe mini disk.

However, there are of course conventional models as disk drive apparatussupporting the mini disk, that is, models supporting only conventionaltypes of disks. While new types of disk can be loaded into theconventional models, the conventional models may be unable to write datain a new format or cause an operation error or data destruction.

Thus, it is necessary to at least prevent problems such as an operationerror and data destruction in various combinations of various types ofdisks and disk drive apparatus developed in different generations.

For these reasons, the disk drive apparatus side is required toinfallibly determine various types of disks in the same category.Conventional disk determining techniques are disclosed in JapanesePatent Laid-open No. Hei 5-144165 and Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei8-321129, for example.

Also, it is necessary to eliminate problems caused on the newlydeveloped disks in the conventional models.

Considering support of the conventional models, a problem of managingdisk writing possibility (preventing erroneous erasure) is particularlysignificant.

In the category of the mini disk system, for example, detection holesfor indicating whether or not writing is possible are provided to acartridge. A user can open and close the detection holes to select astate of data writing being prohibited (an erroneous erasure preventingstate) and a state of writing being enabled by operating a sliderprovided in the cartridge.

Incidentally, writing possibility detection based on these detectionholes is described in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 8-96552,Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 5-36234, Japanese Patent Laid-open No.Hei 5-144165, and the like.

In order to prevent the problems, it is conceivable that the new disksnot supported by the conventional models of disk drive apparatus are setnon-writable as viewed from the conventional models.

However, when a detection hole is used to make the conventional modelsrecognize that the new disks are “not writable” at all times, disk driveapparatus as new models cannot use the detection hole for writingpossibility determination. It is thus necessary to provide anotherdetection hole for writing possibility determination. This in turncauses the new disk drive apparatus a difficulty in writing possibilitydetermination based on the detection holes of the conventional disks.

Furthermore, adding a detection hole as the new disks are developedleads to addition of detecting means on the apparatus side, which is notdesirable in terms of cost. It also hinders reduction in size andthickness.

Thus, for example, management of data writing possibility becomesdifficult as disk types are increased. In addition, disk drive apparatusof course needs to determine various types of disks correctly andperform proper processing.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to enable correctdisk type determination and proper writing possibility determination.The determination is performed without adding or changing a detectingdevice such as a switch or the like corresponding to a detection hole orthe like for various types of recording media regardless of whether thedisk drive apparatus is a new model or a conventional model.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording mediumas a recording disk housed in a cartridge. The recording medium includesa detection hole formed at a predetermined position on a reference planeof the cartridge; and opening and closing means for opening and closingthe detection hole and, when the detection hole is in a closed state,forming a plane substantially horizontal level with the reference planeof the cartridge at the position of the detection hole.

The recording medium has at least a first detection hole and a seconddetection hole; and the second detection hole is opened and closed bythe opening and closing means, and the first detection hole is in anopen state at all times.

An external form of the recording medium is substantially similar to anexternal cartridge form of another recording medium having at least afirst detection hole and a second detection hole at predeterminedpositions on a reference plane of a cartridge housing a disk, and therecording medium and the other recording medium are in a category ofrecording media that can be loaded into an identical apparatus; thesecond detection hole of the recording medium indicates that writing isprohibited when the second detection hole of the recording medium is inan open state; and the first detection hole of the other recordingmedium indicates that writing is prohibited when the first detectionhole of the other recording medium is in an open state, and the seconddetection hole of the other recording medium indicates reflectivity ofthe disk.

The second detection hole of the recording medium is opened and closedaccording to operation of an operating projection disposed at apredetermined position of the cartridge, and operating directions ofopening and closing of the second detection hole of the recording mediumon a basis of a direction of operation of the operating projection ofthe recording medium are identical with operating directions of openingand closing of the first detection hole of the other recording medium ona basis of operation of an operating projection of the other recordingmedium.

A material thickness of the opening and closing means moved according tothe operation of the operating projection is greater than a materialthickness of a portion under a bottom surface of the first detectionhole.

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording andreproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing a recording mediumas one type of disk among a plurality of types of disks, the disk beinghoused in a cartridge of a predetermined form. The recording andreproducing apparatus includes at least one hole detection means fordetecting an open state and a closed state of a plurality of detectionholes disposed at predetermined positions of the cartridge; typedetermining means for irradiating the recording medium loaded in therecording and reproducing apparatus with a light signal, and determiningthe type of the disk housed in the cartridge loaded in the recording andreproducing apparatus on a basis of reflected light from the disk; andhole type determining means for determining hole types of the detectionholes disposed at the predetermined positions of the cartridge on abasis of a result of determination by the type determining means.

At least one of the determined hole types indicates prohibition ofwriting to the disk.

A first detection hole is defined at a first predetermined position ofthe cartridge, and a second detection hole is defined at a secondpredetermined position of the cartridge; an open state of the seconddetection hole of a recording medium housing a first type of diskrepresents a state of writing to the disk being prohibited; an openstate of the first detection hole of a recording medium housing a secondtype of disk represents a state of writing to the disk being prohibited,and the second detection hole of the recording medium housing the secondtype of disk represents reflectivity of the disk; and which of the openstates of the detection holes indicating prohibition of disk writing isdetermined on the basis of the result of determination by the typedetermining means.

On a basis of a signal detected from light reflected from the disk, thetype determining means determines the type of the disk by at least oneof detection of reflectivity of the disk, detection of a phasedifference of the signal, detection of managing information of therecording medium, detection of an address structure of the recordingmedium, and detection of a specific area of the recording medium.

The type determining means determines the type of the disk on a basis ofdetection results of the detection of the reflectivity, the detection ofthe phase difference, the detection of the managing information, and thedetection of the structure.

The type determining means determines the type of the disk on a basis ofdetection results of the detection of the reflectivity, the detection ofthe managing information, and the detection of the structure.

The type determining means determines the type of the disk on a basis ofdetection results of the detection of the managing information and thedetection of the specific area and a result of detection by the holedetection means.

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording andreproducing method for recording and reproducing a recording medium asone type of disk among a plurality of types of disks, the disk beinghoused in a cartridge of a predetermined form. The recording andreproducing method includes a hole detection step for detecting an openstate and a closed state of a plurality of detection holes disposed atpredetermined positions of the cartridge; a type determining step forirradiating the recording medium loaded in the recording and reproducingapparatus with a light signal, and determining the type of the diskhoused in the cartridge loaded in the recording and reproducingapparatus on a basis of reflected light from the disk; and a hole typedetermining step for determining hole types of the detection holesdisposed at the predetermined positions of the cartridge on a basis of aresult of determination of the type of the disk.

The determined hole types indicate whether or not writing to the disk ispossible.

A disposition of a first detection hole at a first predeterminedposition of the cartridge is defined, and a disposition of a seconddetection hole at a second predetermined position of the cartridge isdefined; an open state of the first detection hole of a first type ofdisk represents prohibition of writing to the disk; and an open state ofthe second detection hole of a second type of disk representsprohibition of writing to the disk, and the first detection hole of thesecond type of disk represents reflectivity of the disk.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of configuration of arecording and reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams of assistance in explaining formats ofdisks according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a storage unit of the recording andreproducing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of assistance in explaining a detection hole of areproduction-only MD.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of assistance in explaining detection holes of areproduction-only high-density MD.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams of assistance in explaining detection holesof a recording and reproducing MD and a high-density MD type A.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams of assistance in explaining detection holesof a high-density MD type B/type C according to the embodiment.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E are diagrams of assistance in explaining acartridge of the high-density MD type B/type C according to theembodiment.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D are diagrams of assistance in explaining amechanism for opening and closing the detection hole of the high-densityMD type B/type C according to the embodiment.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E are diagrams of assistance inexplaining a mechanism for opening and closing the detection hole of thehigh-density MD type B/type C according to the embodiment.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are diagrams of assistance in explaining arelation between a closed state of the detection hole of thehigh-density MD type B/type C according to the embodiment and acartridge plane.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams of assistance in explaining amodification of the mechanism for opening and closing the detection holeof the high-density MD type B/type C according to the embodiment.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams of assistance in explaining amodification of the mechanism for opening and closing the detection holeof the high-density MD type B/type C according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of assistance in explaining combinations ofelements for disk type determination according to the embodiment anddetermination methods.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C are diagrams of assistance in explaining adetermination based on reflectivity according to the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of assistance in explaining a configuration for adetermination based on phase difference according to the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of assistance in explaining a relation between diskgroove depth and phase difference.

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, and 18E are diagrams of assistance inexplaining signals in the determination based on phase difference.

FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D, and 19E are diagrams of assistance inexplaining signals in the determination based on phase difference.

FIG. 20 is a diagram of assistance in explaining a relation between diskgroove depth and a PI and push-pull signals.

FIGS. 21A, 21B, and 21C are diagrams of assistance in explaining areastructures of a reproduction-only MD, a recording and reproducing MD,and a high-density MD type A.

FIGS. 22A, 22B, and 22C are diagrams of assistance in explaining areastructures of a high-density MD type B, a reproduction-only high-densityMD, and a high-density MD type C.

FIG. 23 is a diagram of assistance in explaining a P-TOC of an MD.

FIG. 24 is a diagram of assistance in explaining a U-TOC of an MD.

FIGS. 25A and 25B are diagrams of assistance in explaining areastructures of MD disks.

FIGS. 26A and 26B are diagrams of assistance in explaining addressstructures of different types of MDs.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a disk type determination method <1> accordingto the embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a disk type determination method <2> accordingto the embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a disk type determination method <3> accordingto the embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a disk type determination method <4> accordingto the embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a disk type determination method <5> accordingto the embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of a disk type determination method <6> accordingto the embodiment.

FIGS. 33A and 33B are diagrams of assistance in explaining detectionhole modes according to the embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of writing possibility determination processingaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of writing possibility determination processingaccording to the embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed by taking as an example recording media in a category of amini disk system and a disk drive apparatus. Description will be made inthe following order.

-   -   1. Configuration of recording and reproducing apparatus (disk        drive apparatus)    -   2. Disk types    -   3. Configuration of storage unit    -   4. Cartridge detection holes    -   5. Determining disk type    -   6. Writing possibility determination processing        1. Configuration of Recording and Reproducing Apparatus (Disk        Drive Apparatus)

A disk drive apparatus as an embodiment is a recording and reproducingapparatus for a mini disk (MD) system disk, or a magneto-optical disk onwhich data is recorded by a magnetic field modulation system. However,the recording and reproducing apparatus is compatible with not onlymusic mini-disks, which have already been spread, but also high-densitydisks that enable higher density recording and are usable for storage ofvideo data and various other data for computer use.

Configuration of the recording and reproducing apparatus according tothe present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1, the recording and reproducing apparatus 1 according to thepresent embodiment is shown as an apparatus capable of datacommunication with an external apparatus as a personal computer (or anetwork) 100, for example.

For example, the recording and reproducing apparatus 1 can function asan external storage device for the personal computer 100 by beingconnected to the personal computer 100 by a transmission line 101 suchas a USB cable or the like. Further, by being connected to a network viathe personal computer 100 or a function enabling direct connection tothe network, for example, the recording and reproducing apparatus 1 candownload music and various data. The recording and reproducing apparatus1 stores the music and various data on a disk (MD) loaded in a storageunit 2.

On the other hand, even when the recording and reproducing apparatus 1is not connected to the personal computer 100 or the like, the recordingand reproducing apparatus 1 functions as an AV (Audio Video) apparatus,for example. The recording and reproducing apparatus 1 can record audiodata and video data (AV data) inputted from another AV apparatus or thelike onto a disk. Further, The apparatus 1 can reproduce and outputmusical data and the like recorded on the disk.

Thus, the recording and reproducing apparatus 1 according to the presentembodiment can be used as a general-purpose data storage apparatus bybeing connected to the personal computer 100 or the like. The apparatus1 can also be used singly as an AV-ready recording and reproducingapparatus.

The recording and reproducing apparatus 1 includes the storage unit 2, acache memory 3, a USB interface 4, an input-output processing unit 5, adisplay unit 6, an operating unit 7, a system controller 8, a ROM 9, aRAM 10, a cache managing memory 11, and an NV-RAM 12.

The storage unit 2 performs recording/reproduction on a disk loadedtherein. So-called mini disk system disks used in the present embodimentand configuration of the storage unit 2 compatible with the disks willbe described later.

The cache memory 3 buffers data to be recorded onto the disk by thestorage unit 2 or data read from the disk by the storage unit 2. Thecache memory 3 is formed by a D-RAM 2, for example.

Writing/reading of data into the cache memory is controlled by a taskstarted by the system controller (CPU) 8.

The USB interface 4 performs processing for data transmission whenconnected to the personal computer 100 by the transmission line 101 as aUSB cable, for example.

The input-output processing unit 5 performs processing for inputting andoutputting data to be recorded and reproduced when the recording andreproducing apparatus 1 functions singly as an audio apparatus, forexample.

The system controller 8 controls the whole of the recording andreproducing apparatus 1 and controls communication with the personalcomputer 100 connected to the recording and reproducing apparatus 1.

The ROM 9 stores an operating program for the system controller 8, fixedparameters, and the like.

The RAM 10 is used as a work area of the system controller 8, and as anarea for storing various necessary information.

The RAM 10 for example stores various managing information and specialinformation read from the disk by the storage unit 2. For example, theRAM 10 stores P-TOC data, U-TOC data, play list data, FAT data, a uniqueID, a hash value, and the like. The P-TOC data and the U-TOC data areinformation for managing music tracks or the like recorded on a minidisk. A high-density disk conforming to a mini disk system that can besupported by the recording and reproducing apparatus 1 according to thepresent embodiment has a FAT file system constructed thereon in additionto a managing form referred to as P-TOC, U-TOC, or P-TOP. A play list isinformation for managing addresses and the like of musical data or thelike obtained by an ATRAC system or the like on the high-density disk.The play list is recorded as one file on the FAT system. When thehigh-density disk is loaded, the FAT and play list information is alsoread. The unique ID, the hash value, and the like are information usedfor encoding/decoding and authentication processing in data transmissionbetween the recording and reproducing apparatus 1 and the personalcomputer 100 or the like.

The cache managing memory 11 is formed by an S-RAM, for example, andstores information for managing a state of the cache memory 3. Thesystem controller 8 controls data cache processing while referring tothe cache managing memory 11. The information of the cache managingmemory 11 will be described later.

The NV-RAM 12 (NonVolatile RAM) 12 is used as an area for storing datanot to be lost even while power is off.

The display unit 6 displays various information to be presented to auser under control of the system controller 8. For example, the displayunit 6 displays a state of operation, a mode state, information of aname of data such as a musical piece or the like, a track number, timeinformation, and other information.

The operating unit 7 has operating keys, a jog dial, and the like formedthereon as various operating elements for user operation. The userspecifies a required operation for recording, reproduction, or datacommunication by operating the operating unit 7. The system controller 8performs predetermined control processing on the basis of operatinginformation inputted through the operating unit 7.

Control effected by the system controller 8 when the personal computer100 or the like is connected is for example as follows.

The system controller 8 can perform communication with the personalcomputer 100 connected via the USB interface 4. The controller 8receives a command such as a request to write, read, or the like andtransmits status information and other necessary information, forexample.

In response to loading of a disk into the storage unit 2, for example,the system controller 8 instructs the storage unit 2 to read managinginformation and the like from the disk, captures the information via thecache memory 3, and then stores the information in the RAM 10.

The system controller 8 can grasp a track recording state of the disk byreading managing information of P-TOC, U-TOC, or P-TOP.

By a unique ID and a hash value, the system controller 8 can performdisk authentication and other processing or transmit these values to thepersonal computer 100 for processing.

When there is a request to read certain data from the personal computer100, the system controller 8 makes the storage unit 2 read the data.However, in a case where the requested data is already stored in thecache memory 3, the reading of the data by the storage unit 2 is notrequired. This case represents a so-called cache hit.

Then the system controller 8 effects control to read the data written inthe cache memory 3 and transmit the data to the personal computer 100via the USB interface 4.

When there is a request to write certain data from the personal computer100, the system controller 8 stores the data transmitted thereto in thecache memory 3. Then, the system controller 8 makes the storage unit 2record the data stored in the cache memory 3 onto a disk.

Incidentally, data is recorded onto the disk with a cluster unit as aminimum unit. A cluster is 32 FAT sectors, for example.

If an amount of data requested by the personal computer 100 or the liketo be recorded is a few sectors, for example, which is less than onecluster, processing referred to as blocking is performed. Specifically,the system controller 8 first makes the storage unit 2 read a clusterincluding corresponding FAT sectors. The read cluster data is written tothe cache memory 3.

The system controller 8 then supplies FAT sector data (recording data)from the personal computer 100 to the cache memory 3 via the USBinterface 4, to rewrite data of the corresponding FAT sectors in thestored cluster data.

The system controller 8 then transfers the cluster data, which is storedin the cache memory 3 in a state of the necessary FAT sectors beingrewritten, to the storage unit 2 as recording data. The storage unit 2writes the data in the cluster unit to the disk.

The description above has been made of control for data recording andreproduction involving transmission from and to the personal computer100, for example. Data transfer at times of recording and reproducingaudio data of a mini disk system and the like is performed via theinput-output processing unit 5, for example.

The input-output processing unit 5 includes an analog audio signal inputunit such as a line input circuit/microphone input circuit or the like,an A/D converter, and a digital audio data input unit as an inputsystem, for example. The input-output processing unit 5 also includes anATRAC compression encoder/decoder. The ATRAC compression encoder/decoderis a circuit for compressing/decompressing audio data by the ATRACsystem. Incidentally, the recording and reproducing apparatus accordingto the present embodiment may of course be configured to be able torecord and reproduce compressed audio data in different formats of MP3and the like, for example. In this case, it suffices for the recordingand reproducing apparatus to have an encoder/decoder supporting theseformats of the compressed audio data.

Though not specifically limited in the present embodiment, recordableand reproducible formats for video data may include for example MPEG4and the like. Then, it suffices for the input-output processing unit 5to have an encoder/decoder supporting such formats.

The input-output processing unit 5 further includes a digital audio dataoutput unit, a D/A converter, and an analog audio signal output unitsuch as a line output circuit/headphone output circuit or the like as anoutput system.

The input-output processing unit 5 in this case further includes anencryption processing unit Sa. The encryption processing unit 5 aencrypts AV data to be recorded onto the disk by a predeterminedalgorithm, for example. The encryption processing unit 5 a also performsdecoding processing for decryption as required when AV data read fromthe disk is encrypted.

Audio data is recorded onto the disk as processing via the input-outputprocessing unit 5 in a case where digital audio data (or an analog audiosignal) is inputted as an input TIN to the input-output processing unit5, for example. The inputted linear PCM digital audio data or linear PCMaudio data obtained by converting the inputted analog audio signal bythe A/D converter is subjected to ATRAC compression encoding and thenstored in the cache memory 3. The data is read from the cache memory 3in predetermined timing (a data unit corresponding to an ADIP cluster)to be transferred to the storage unit 2. The storage unit 2 modulatesthe compressed data transferred thereto by a predetermined modulationsystem and then records the data onto the disk.

When audio data of the mini disk system is reproduced from the disk, thestorage unit 2 demodulates the reproduced data into ATRAC compresseddata and transfers the ATRAC compressed data to the cache memory 3. TheATRAC compressed data is then read from the cache memory 3 andtransferred to the input-output processing unit 5. The input-outputprocessing unit 5 performs ATRAC compression decoding of the compressedaudio data supplied thereto into linear PCM audio data and then outputsthe linear PCM audio data from the digital audio data output unit.Alternatively, the input-output processing unit 5 converts thecompressed audio data by the D/A converter into an analog audio signalfor line output/headphone output.

It is to be noted that the configuration of the recording andreproducing apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 is an example; the input-outputprocessing unit 5, for example, may have an input-output processingsystem supporting not only audio data but also video data.

Further, instead of USB, another external interface such as IEEE1394 orthe like may be used for connection with the personal computer 100.

2. Disk Types

Disks used as recording media in the recording and reproducing apparatus1 according to the present embodiment are disks of the mini disk system.Specifically, the recording and reproducing apparatus 1 supports notonly conventional mini disks for music but also high-density diskscapable of recording various data for computer use.

Description will first be made of various types of mini disks belongingto the category of the mini disk system and being loaded into therecording and reproducing apparatus 1 in this example.

For distinction, terms “reproduction-only MD,” “recording andreproducing MD,” “high-density MD type A,” “high-density MD type B,”“reproduction-only high-density MD,” and “high-density MD type C” areused as names for the various types of mini disks. These names are fordescription in the present specification only. The various types ofdisks are as follows.

The reproduction-only MD refers to a reproduction-only MD for audiopurposes called generally as a premastered disk. All data is recorded byembossed pits.

The recording and reproducing MD refers to an MD formed as amagneto-optical disk, allows data recording and reproduction by amagnetic field modulation system, and is used for audio purposes.

The reproduction-only MD and the recording and reproducing MD areso-called first-generation MDs and have now spread widely as audio MDs.

Incidentally, an MD-DATA is developed for general data recording uses asan extension of audio uses after the first-generation MDs. In thepresent specification, the MD-DATA will be treated as belonging to therecording and reproducing MD or the reproduction-only MD.

Thereafter, next-generation MDs with increased density in conformity tothe MD system were developed. They will be referred to as high-densityMDs. The high-density MDs as described herein are disks referred to alsoas “Hi-MDs” capable of being used widely for data storage purposes. Thehigh-density MDs have achieved a recording capacity more than twice thatof the first-generation MDs.

The high-density MDs have been developed into a few types now. Thesetypes will be referred to as the “high-density MD type A,” the“high-density MD type B,” and the “high-density MD type C” as mentionedabove. They correspond to recording media according to the embodiment ofthe present invention.

The high-density MD type A is a disk referred to as a “Hi-MD1.”

The high-density MD type B is a disk referred to as a “Hi-MD1.5.”

The high-density MD type C is a disk referred to as a “Hi-MD3.”

In the high-density MD type B (Hi-MD1.5), a reproduction-only type usingembossed pits has been devised. This type will be referred to as a“reproduction-only high-density MD” so as to be distinguished from thehigh-density MD type B.

It is to be noted that the high-density MD type B/type C corresponds toa recording medium according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a comparison between specifications of thefirst-generation MDs defining the reproduction-only MD, the recordingand reproducing MD, and the MD-DATA and specifications of thehigh-density MDs defining the high-density MD type A, the high-densityMD type B, the reproduction-only high-density MD, and the high-densityMD type C.

As shown in FIG. 2A, as a format for the first-generation MDs and theMD-DATA, a track pitch is 1.6 μm, and a bit length is 0.59 μm/bit. Alaser wavelength λ=780 nm, and a numerical aperture NA of an objectivelens=0.45.

The recording and reproducing MD employs a groove recording system as arecording system thereof. That is, the recording and reproducing MD usesa groove formed on a disk surface as a track for recording andreproduction.

As an addressing system, the recording and reproducing MD employs asystem in which a groove (track) is formed by a single spiral, and awobbled groove having a wobble formed as address information on bothsides of the groove is used.

Incidentally, in the present specification, an absolute address recordedby wobbling is also referred to as an ADIP (Address in Pregroove).

On the reproduction-only MD, no groove is formed, a track is formed byan embossed pit string, and addresses are recorded together with data.

These first-generation MDs use an EFM (8-14 conversion) system as arecording data modulation system. The first-generation MDs use ACIRC(Advanced Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon Code) as an error correctionsystem and use a convolution type data interleave. A data redundancy is46.3%.

A data detection system is a bit-by-bit system. As a disk drivingsystem, CLV (Constant Linear Verocity) is used. A CLV linear velocity is1.2 m/s.

A standard data rate at times of recording and reproduction is 133 kB/s.A recording capacity is 164 MB (140 MB for the MD-DATA).

A data unit of a cluster is a minimum data rewriting unit. The clusterincludes 36 sectors formed by 32 main sectors and four link sectors.

For the high-density MDs, on the other hand, two specificationscurrently exist: a specification for the high-density MD type A and typeB (including the reproduction-only high-density MD), and a specificationfor the high-density MD type C having an even higher density.

First, in the case of the high-density MD type A/type B, a track pitchis 1.5 to 1.6 μm, a linear density is 0.437 μm/bit, and a recordingcapacity is increased to 300 MB. A transfer rate at a standard speed is4.37 Mbps, and a linear velocity is 2.4 m/sec.

In the case of the high-density MD type C, a track pitch is 1.25 μm, alinear density is 0.16 μm/bit, and a recording capacity is increased to1 GB. A transfer rate at a standard speed is 9.83 Mbps, and a linearvelocity is 1.98 m/sec.

Incidentally, though not shown in FIG. 2B, an RLL (1, 7) PP system (RLL;Run Length Limited, and PP: Parity preserve/Prohibit rmtr [repeatedminimum transition runlength]), which is considered suitable forhigh-density recording, is used as a recording data modulation system ofthe high-density MDs, and an RS-LDC (Reed Solomon-Long Distance Code)system with BIS (Burst Indicator Subcode), which has a higher correctioncapability, is used as an error correction system. A data interleave ofa block completion type is used. A data redundancy is 20.50%.

A data detection system is a Viterbi decoding system using partialresponse PR (1, 2, 1) ML.

Incidentally, the RLL (1-7) modulation and the RS-LDC error correctionsystem are techniques disclosed in for example Japanese Patent Laid-openNo. Hei 11-346154, International Publication WO 00/07300, and the like.

A disk driving system is CLV (Constant Linear Verocity) or ZCAV (ZoneConstant Angular Verocity).

3. Configuration of Storage Unit

The storage unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a disk drive unit that can supportthe first-generation MDs and the high-density MDs as general-purposedata recording media as described above.

An example of configuration of the storage unit 2 is shown in FIG. 3.

A disk 90 shown in the figure represents the above-described variousdisks. The disk 90 is housed in a cartridge 91.

The disk 90 loaded in the storage unit 2 is driven for rotation by theCLV system by a spindle motor 30.

An optical head 20 irradiates the disk 90 with laser light at a time ofrecording/reproduction.

The optical head 20 produces a laser output at a high level to heat arecording track to the Curie temperature at a time of recording. Theoptical head 20 produces a laser output at a relatively low level todetect data from reflected light by magnetic Kerr effect at a time ofreproduction. For this, though not shown in detail, the optical head 20includes an optical system and a photodetector for detecting reflectedlight. The optical system includes a laser diode, a polarization beamsplitter, an objective lens, and the like as laser output means. Theobjective lens included in the optical head 20 is held so as to bedisplaceable in a direction of a radius of the disk and a direction tomove toward and away from the disk by a biaxial mechanism, for example.

A magnetic head 19 is disposed at a position opposite to the opticalhead 20 with the disk 90 interposed between the magnetic head 19 and theoptical head 20. The magnetic head 19 applies a magnetic field modulatedby recording data to the disk 90.

Further, though not shown, a sled motor and a sled mechanism areprovided to move the whole of the optical head 20 and the magnetic head19 in the direction of the radius of the disk.

In addition to a recording and reproducing head system including theoptical head 20 and the magnetic head 19 and a disk rotation drivingsystem including the spindle motor 30, the storage unit 2 includes arecording processing system, a reproduction processing system, a servosystem, and the like.

The recording processing system includes: a part for performingmodulation by a first modulation system (EFM modulation and ACIRCencode) at a time of recording a first-generation MD; and a part forperforming modulation by a second modulation system (RLL (1-7) PPmodulation and RS-LDC encode) at a time of recording a high-density MD.

The reproduction processing system includes: a part for performingdemodulation (EFM demodulation and ACIRC decode) for the firstmodulation system at a time of reproducing a first-generation MD (andU-TOC of a high-density MD); and a part for performing demodulation (RLL(1-7) demodulation based on data detection using partial response PR (1,2, 1) and Viterbi decoding, and RS-LDC decode) for the second modulationsystem at a time of reproducing a high-density MD.

Information detected as reflected light resulting from laser irradiationof the disk 90 by the optical head 20 (photocurrent obtained bydetecting laser reflected light by the photodetector) is supplied to anRF amplifier 22.

The RF amplifier 22 subjects the detected information inputted theretoto current-voltage conversion, amplification, matrix operation, and thelike. The RF amplifier 22 extracts a reproduced RF signal as reproducedinformation, a tracking error signal TE, a focus error signal FE, grooveinformation (ADIP information recorded by track wobbling on the disk90), and the like.

At the time of reproducing a first-generation MD, the reproduced RFsignal obtained by the RF amplifier 22 is processed by an EFMdemodulation unit 25 and an ACIRC decoder 26.

Specifically, the reproduced RF signal is binarized into an EFM signalstring and then subjected to EFM demodulation by the EFM demodulationunit 25. The reproduced RF signal is further subjected to errorcorrection and deinterleave processing by the ACIRC decoder 26. Thus, atthis point, the reproduced RF signal is converted into a state of ATRACcompressed data.

At the time of reproducing a first-generation MD, a selector 27 selectsa B contact side, so that the demodulated ATRAC compressed data isoutputted as reproduced data from the disk 90. That is, the compresseddata is outputted from the storage unit 2 via a data buffer 33 and thensupplied to the cache memory 3 in FIG. 1.

At the time of reproducing a high-density MD, on the other hand, thereproduced RF signal obtained by the RF amplifier 22 is processed by anRLL (1-7) PP demodulation unit 23 and an RS-LDC decoder 24.

Specifically, the RLL (1-7) PP demodulation unit 23 obtains from thereproduced RF signal reproduced data as an RLL (1-7) code string by datadetection using PR (1, 2, 1) and Viterbi decoding. Then, the RLL (1-7)PP demodulation unit 23 subjects the RLL (1-7) code string to RLL (1-7)demodulation. The result is further subjected to error correction anddeinterleave processing by the RS-LDC decoder 24.

At the time of reproducing a high-density MD, the selector 27 selects anA contact side, so that the demodulated data is outputted as reproduceddata from the disk 90. That is, the demodulated data is outputted fromthe storage unit 2 via the data buffer 33 and then supplied to the cachememory 3 in FIG. 1.

The tracking error signal TE and the focus error signal FE outputtedfrom the RF amplifier 22 are supplied to a servo circuit 28. The grooveinformation is supplied to an ADIP demodulation unit 31.

The ADIP demodulation unit 31 band-limits the groove information by aband-pass filter to extract a wobble component and thereafter performsFM demodulation and biphase demodulation to extract an ADIP address.

The extracted ADIP address as absolute address information on the diskis supplied to a storage controller (CPU) 31. The storage controller 32performs required control processing on the basis of the ADIP address.

The groove information is also supplied to the servo circuit 28 forspindle servo control.

The servo circuit 28 generates a spindle error signal for CLV servocontrol on the basis of an error signal obtained by integrating a phaseerror between the groove information and a reproduction clock (PLLsystem clock at the time of decoding), for example.

The servo circuit 28 also generates various servo control signals (atracking control signal, a focus control signal, a sled control signal,a spindle control signal, and the like) on the basis of the spindleerror signal, the tracking error signal TE and the focus error signal FEsupplied from the RF amplifier 22 as described above, or a track jumpcommand, an access command, and the like from the storage controller 32.The servo circuit 28 outputs the various servo control signals to amotor driver 29. That is, the servo circuit 28 performs necessaryprocessing such as phase compensation processing, gain processing,target value setting processing, and the like in response to the servoerror signals and the commands and then generates the various servocontrol signals.

The motor driver 29 generates required servo drive signals on the basisof the servo control signals supplied from the servo circuit 28. Theservo drive signals in this case are a biaxial drive signal (two signalsfor a focus direction and a tracking direction) for driving the biaxialmechanism, a sled motor drive signal for driving the sled mechanism, anda spindle motor drive signal for driving the spindle motor 30.

With such servo drive signals, focus control and tracking control forthe disk 90 and CLV control on the spindle motor 30 are performed.

In operation of recording on the disk 90, data is supplied from thecache memory 3 to the data buffer 33.

At the time of recording onto a first-generation MD, a selector 17 isconnected to a B contact, so that an ACIRC encoder 15 and an EFMmodulation unit 16 function.

In this case, compressed data from an audio processing unit not shown inthe figure is interleaved and provided with error correcting code by theACIRC encoder 15 and thereafter subjected to EFM modulation by the EFMmodulation unit 16.

Then, the EFM modulated data is supplied to a magnetic head driver 18via the selector 17, and a magnetic head 19 applies a magnetic field tothe disk 90 on the basis of the EFM modulated data, whereby datarecording is performed.

At the time of recording onto a high-density MD, the selector 17 isconnected to an A contact, so that an RS-LDC encoder 13 and an RLL (1-7)PP modulation unit 14 function.

In this case, high-density data from the cache memory 3 is interleavedand provided with error correcting code by an RS-LDC system by theRS-LDC encoder 13 and thereafter subjected to RLL (1-7) modulation bythe RLL (1-7) PP modulation unit 14.

Then, recording data as an RLL (1-7) code string is supplied to themagnetic head driver 18 via the selector 17, and the magnetic head 19applies a magnetic field to the disk 90 on the basis of the modulateddata, whereby data recording is performed.

A laser driver/APC 21 makes a laser diode perform laser light emissionoperation at the time of reproduction and at the time of recording asdescribed above and also performs so-called APC (Automatic Lazer PowerControl) operation.

Specifically, though not shown, a detector for monitoring laser power isprovided within the optical head 20. A monitoring signal is fed back tothe laser driver/APC 21. The laser driver/APC 21 compares current laserpower obtained as the monitoring signal with set laser power andreflects an error between the current laser power and the set laserpower in a laser driving signal. As a result, the laser driver/APC 21effects control to stabilize the laser power outputted from the laserdiode at a set value.

Incidentally, for the laser power, the storage controller 32 sets valuesof reproducing laser power and recording laser power in a registerwithin the laser driver/APC 21.

The operations described above (access, various servo, data writing,data reading, and data transfer operations) are performed under controlof the storage controller 32 based on instructions from the systemcontroller 8.

As will be described later, the cartridge 91 housing the disk 90 as amini disk has detection holes formed thereon to indicate whether or notwriting is possible and disk reflectivity. The detection hole forindicating whether or not writing is possible, in particular, can beopened and closed by user operation.

The storage unit 2 has a detection hole determination unit 34 fordetecting states (open/closed or presence/absence) of the detectionholes of such a cartridge 91.

The detection hole determination unit 34 has switches SW0 and SW1 formedat positions to be opposed to the detection holes in the cartridge 91when the disk is loaded. The switches are pressed (turned on) when thedetection holes are closed (or not present).

The on/off states of the switches SW0 and SW1 are supplied to thestorage controller 32, whereby the storage controller 32 can determinethe states of the detection holes.

Incidentally, while the storage controller 32 is provided within thestorage unit 2 in this configuration example, an example in which thesystem controller 8 directly controls the parts within the storage unit2 may be a configured.

4. Cartridge Detection Holes

Description will be made of the detection holes provided to thecartridge 91 of the various types of disks as described above. FIGS. 4to 7B show a bottom surface and a side surface of cartridges of thevarious types of disks.

In the case of the disks in the category of MD as shown in FIGS. 4 to7B, the disks 90 are housed in a flat cartridge 91 and are rotatablewithin the cartridge 91. The cartridge 91 has a slide type shutter 92.As shown in each of the figures, the disk 90 inside is exposed byopening the shutter 92. Incidentally, the shutter 92 is normally closedto shield the disk 90. When the disk is loaded into the disk driveapparatus, the shutter 92 is slid open by a mechanism within the deck.

FIG. 4 shows a reproduction-only MD. In the case of thereproduction-only MD, a detection hole H0 is formed at a predeterminedposition shown in FIG. 4 on a bottom surface side of a cartridge 91.

The position of the detection hole H0 is to determine whether or notwriting is possible. Presence of the detection hole H0 (an open state ofthe detection hole H0) indicates that writing is impossible (writing isdisabled).

In the case of the reproduction-only MD, since writing is naturallydisabled, only a single hole as the detection hole H0 is formed, and nomechanism for opening and closing the hole is provided. Thus, a sliderfor opening and closing the hole is not provided on a side surface orthe like of the cartridge 91.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show cartridges 91 of a recording and reproducing MD anda high-density MD type A.

In this case, detection holes H0 and H1 are provided. As in thereproduction-only MD, the detection hole H0 is provided to set whetheror not writing is possible. In this case, a slider 93 is provided. Thedetection hole H0 can assume a closed state as shown in FIG. 6A and anopen state as shown in FIG. 6B according to a position of the slider 93.That is, a user can open or close the detection hole H0 as shown in FIG.6A or 6B by operating the slider 93 and thereby set writingenabled/disabled.

The open state of the detection hole H0 means that writing isimpossible, and the closed state of the detection hole H0 means thatwriting is possible. Since the open state of the detection hole H0indicates that writing is impossible, the detection hole H0 has the samemeanings as in the case of the reproduction-only MD.

The second detection hole H1 in FIGS. 6A and 6B indicates reflectivityof the disk 90. The recording and reproducing MD and the high-density MDtype A are magneto-optical disks and are thus different from thereproduction-only MD, which is an optical disk having embossed pitsformed thereon. Magneto-optical disks have a very low reflectivity ascompared with optical disks. For example, whereas optical disks have areflectivity of about 70%, magneto-optical disks have a reflectivity ofabout 15 to 30%. Therefore, the disk drive apparatus (storage unit 2)needs to change internal signal processing settings (for example RF gainand the like) according to whether the disk is an optical disk or amagneto-optical disk. The detection hole H1 is provided fordetermination of this.

Presence (open state) of the detection hole H1 indicates the lowreflectivity. Of course, in this case, the detection hole H1 is notopened or closed by the slider 93. That is, a fixed hole is formed asthe detection hole H1.

In the case of the reproduction-only MD, on the other hand, absence ofthe detection hole H1 indicates the high reflectivity.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 6A and 6B, in the first-generation MDs andthe high-density MD type A, the position and presence or absence of thedetection hole H0 are set to indicate whether or not writing ispossible, and the position and presence or absence of the detection holeH1 are set to indicate reflectivity.

On the other hand, in the high-density MD type C and type B (and thereproduction-only high-density MD) according to the present embodiment,the detection hole H0 is in an open state at all times, and thedetection hole H1 is used to set whether or not writing is possible.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a cartridge 91 of the high-density MD type B/typeC. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, detection holes H0 and H1 are provided.Incidentally, while the detection hole H1 is a long hole, this is a mereexample; as will be described later, the hole may be of a circular shapeas in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

The detection hole H1 can be changed to a closed state in FIG. 7A and anopen state in FIG. 7B by a slider 93.

In the case of the high-density MD type B/type C, the closed state inFIG. 7A of the detection hole H1 indicates that writing is possible, andthe open state in FIG. 7B of the detection hole H1 indicates thatwriting is impossible.

On the other hand, the detection hole H0 is maintained in the open stateregardless of a position of the slider 93.

FIG. 5 shows a cartridge 91 of the reproduction-only high-density MD asan embossed pit disk in the high-density MD type B. In this case, bothof detection holes H0 and H1 are always formed as a fixed hole in anopen state. As in the case of the high-density MD type B/type C in FIGS.7A and 7B, the fixed detection hole H0 is in the open state at alltimes.

The reproduction-only high-density MD in FIG. 5 has the detection holeH1 as a fixed hole, because the reproduction-only high-density MD is nota writable disk. That is, the open state of the detection hole H1 inFIGS. 7A and 7B indicates that writing is impossible. In the case of thereproduction-only high-density MD in FIG. 5, the fixed detection hole H1is formed into the “open state” to indicate that writing is impossible(writing is disabled).

Comparing FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, which both show reproduction-only opticaldisks, presence (open state) of the detection hole H0 in thereproduction-only MD of FIG. 4 indicates that “writing is impossible(writing is disabled),” while presence (open state) of the detectionhole H1 in the reproduction-only high-density MD of FIG. 5 indicatesthat “writing is impossible (writing is disabled).”

The fixed detection hole H0 is thus formed in the high-density MD typeB/type C of FIGS. 7A and 7B and the reproduction-only high-density MD ofFIG. 5. The hole H0 provides a function that makes a conventional diskdrive apparatus (conventional model) supporting only first-generationMDs recognize that the high-density MD type B/type C and thereproduction-only high-density MD are “not writable.” Conventionalmodels recognize the open state at the position of the detection hole H0as indicating that “writing is impossible.”

Since the detection hole H0 is fixed in the open state, the detectionhole H0 in the high-density MD type B/type C cannot be used for writingpossibility setting. Therefore, the detection hole H1 is used forwriting possibility setting.

When meanings of the detection holes H0 and H1 differ between the caseof the reproduction-only MD, the recording and reproducing MD, and thehigh-density MD type A and the case of the high-density MD type B/type Cand the reproduction-only high-density MD, the disk drive apparatusaccording to the present embodiment capable of writing data to thehigh-density MD type B/type C cannot determine whether or not writing ispossible simply on the basis of the states of the detection holes.Accordingly, as will be described later in detail, the disk driveapparatus (storage unit 2) in this example into which these variouskinds of MDs are loaded detects a disk type and then determines meaningsof the detection holes H0 and H1 according to the type.

Incidentally, the same situation occurs to a conventional model when thehigh-density MD type B/type C and the reproduction-only high-density MDare loaded therein. However, the conventional model is not desired toperform operation of recording on these types of disks. Accordingly, thedetection hole H0 in these types of disks is in the open state at alltimes to solve the problem. Thus, the conventional model recognizes that“writing is impossible”.

The conventional model is not desired to perform the operation ofrecording on these types of disks because of the following.

The conventional model inherently cannot perform recording on thesetypes of disks particularly because of data format, physical properties,and the like. Therefore, when the conventional model accidentallyperforms recording on these types of disks, operation errors, datadestruction, and the like may occur. Some operation errors may confusethe user, of course.

In addition, these types of disks have adopted encryption andauthentication methods for protecting copyright of data. Theconventional model does not support these methods.

For these reasons, the conventional model is required to determine thatthe high-density MD type B/type C and the reproduction-only high-densityMD are simply “unrecordable.”

Structure of detection holes H0 and H1 in a disk according to thepresent embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.8A to 11D. In this case, the disk according to the present embodimentcorresponds to the high-density MD type B/type C.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E are a bottom view, a plan view, a rearview, a left side view, and a right side view of the disk according tothis example. As described above with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, thedetection holes H0 and H1 are formed at predetermined positions on abottom surface side of a cartridge, as shown in FIG. 8A.

As shown in FIG. 8E, a slider 93 is formed in a side of the cartridge.By operating the slider 93, it is possible to open and close only thedetection hole H1.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D show the side of the cartridge and an A-Asection in FIG. 8A. FIGS. 9A and 9B show the closed state of thedetection hole H1. FIGS. 9C and 9D show the open state of the detectionhole H1.

FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of a part of the detection holes H0 and H1as viewed from the bottom surface side of the cartridge 91 when thedetection hole H1 is in the closed state. FIG. 10B shows a B-B sectionat that time.

FIG. 10C is an enlarged view of a part of the detection holes H0 and H1as viewed from the bottom surface side of the cartridge 91 when thedetection hole H1 is in the open state. FIGS. 10D and 10E show a D-Dsection and a C-C section at that time.

As is understood from the figures, the slider 93 includes: a depressionpart 93 a depressed in a direction of thickness of the cartridge at theposition corresponding to the detection hole H0; a projection part 93 bprojecting in the direction of thickness of the cartridge at theposition corresponding to the detection hole H1; an engaging part 93 cfor maintaining slide positions as the open state and the closed state;and an operating projection 93 d for slide operation by the user.

The operating projection 93 d enables the user to slide the slider 93 asshown in FIGS. 9A and 9C.

The slider 93 at the position in FIG. 9A maintains its positional stateby engaging the engaging part 93 c with a first curved part 95 a of awave-shaped rib 95 formed within the cartridge, as shown in FIG. 10A.

The slider 93 at the position in FIG. 9C maintains its positional stateby engaging the engaging part 93 c with a second curved part 95 b of thewave-shaped rib 95, as shown in FIG. 10C.

As is understood from FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10E, the depression part93 a at the position corresponding to the detection hole H0 in theslider 93 is depressed to a degree in the direction of thickness in anarea wider than hole size of the detection hole H0.

Thus, as is understood from FIGS. 10A and 10C, the detection hole H0 isnot closed regardless of the position of the slider 93. The detectionhole H0 is therefore in the open state at all times.

As is understood from FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10E, the projection part93 b at the position corresponding to the detection hole H1 in theslider 93 has such a size and a shape as to be fitted into the longdetection hole H1. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10C, the projection part 93b is situated within the long hole regardless of the slide position.

Incidentally, the detection hole H1 is a long hole in this example so asto allow the projection part 93 b to move within the detection hole H1at a time of sliding. As the detection hole H1, at least a circular holeat the position defined in the category of MD suffices. For example, itsuffices to form a hole at a position of a right half of the longdetection hole H1 in FIG. 10A. That is, the detection hole H1 does notneed to be a long hole. The case will be described later asmodifications.

A state of the right half of the long hole being closed by theprojection part 93 b as in FIG. 10A is the closed state of the detectionhole H1, and a state of the projection part 93 b not being situated atthe right half of the long hole as in FIG. 10C is the open state of thedetection hole H1.

As shown in FIGS. 9B and 9D, an upper surface of the projection part 93b of the slider 93 forms a surface substantially horizontal level withthe bottom surface of the cartridge 91.

Thus, the slider 93 is formed as an opening and closing mechanism thatmaintains the detection hole H0 in the open state at all times and opensand closes the detection hole H1. Further, when the detection hole H1 isin the closed state, a plane of the slider 93, that is, a surfacethereof to be brought into contact with the detection switch (switch SW1in FIG. 3) of the disk drive apparatus is made substantially horizontallevel with the plane of the cartridge 91 (of substantially the sameheight as the plane of the cartridge 91 in the direction of thickness)by the projection part 93 b.

The reasons that the detection hole H0 is in the open state at all timeshave been described above. The detection hole H0 in the first-generationMDs and the like is used to determine whether or not writing ispossible, and hence the detection hole H0 is used to make conventionalmodels recognize that the disk according to this example is notwritable.

The detection hole H1 can be opened and closed by the user to be usedfor writing possibility setting.

Utilizing for writing possibility setting the detection hole H1originally used to detect reflectivity in the recording and reproducingMD and the like eliminates the need for providing the disk according tothis example with a new third detection hole specially for writingpossibility setting.

This means that a switch corresponding to the detection hole does notneed to be added to the compatible disk drive apparatus. The apparatushas the advantage of reducing size, thickness, or cost.

When the detection hole H1 is in the closed state, the projection part93 b forms a surface substantially horizontal level with the plane ofthe cartridge for the following reasons.

As described above, the positions of the detection holes H0 and H1 aredefined respectively as identical positions in the various kinds ofdisks. On the disk drive apparatus side, the switch SW0 corresponding tothe detection hole H0 and the switch SW1 corresponding to the detectionhole H1 are formed in the detection hole determination unit 34 in FIG.3. The switches SW0 and SW1 are the same as in a disk drive apparatus asa conventional model.

FIG. 11C shows states of detection holes H0 and H1 in a recording andreproducing MD (and high-density MD type A) and states of thecorresponding switches SW0 and SW1, and FIG. 11D shows states ofdetection holes H0 and H1 in a reproduction-only MD and states of thecorresponding switches SW0 and SW1.

The recording and reproducing MD in FIG. 11C is provided with detectionholes H0 and H1. The detection hole H0 is about 3 mm deep in thedirection of thickness of the cartridge. The detection hole H0 is openedand closed by a slider 93. When the detection hole H0 is in the closedstate, a part of the slider is about 1 mm deep from the bottom surface(reference plane) of the cartridge 91 as indicated by a broken line{circle around (1)}. The 1 mm corresponds to thickness of the cartridge91. In the case of the recording and reproducing MD, the slider 93 doesnot have a projection part 93 b as in the above-described disk accordingto this example. Therefore, the detection hole H0 is “closed” by theslider at a position 1 mm deep.

The switch SW0 in contact with the part of the slider at the position 1mm deep as viewed from the reference plane is judged to be turned on andthus indicate that the detection hole H0 is in the closed state. On theother hand, as shown in the figure, the switch SW0 not in contact withthe part of the slider at the position 1 mm deep from the referenceplane is judged to be turned off and thus indicate that the detectionhole H0 is in the open state.

The switch SW0 is designed for an on/off stroke (stroke for detectingthe open and closed states) range extending from the position about 1 mmdeep from the reference plane to a position less than 3 mm deep (alittle more than 2 mm deep).

The other detection hole H1 of the recording and reproducing MD is forexample about 2 mm deep from the reference plane as shown in the figure.This is because of consideration for the reproduction-only MD in FIG.1D, and the detection hole H1 is in an open state at all times.

As shown in FIG. 11D, the reproduction-only MD does not have a detectionhole H1 formed therein. As described above, the detection hole H1 in therecording and reproducing MD is provided to indicate differentreflectivity from that of the reproduction-only MD that does not havesuch a detection hole H1. Therefore, the switch SW1 needs to judge astate of absence of the detection hole H1 to be the closed state. Thus,the switch SW1 in contact with the bottom surface (reference plane) ofthe cartridge 91 (state of FIG. 11D) is judged to be turned on and thusindicate that the detection hole H1 is in the closed state. On the otherhand, the switch SW1 not in contact with the reference plane as in FIG.11C is judged to be turned off and thus indicate that the detection holeH1 is in the open state.

Thus, the switch SW1 is designed for an on/off stroke (stroke fordetecting the open and closed states) range extending from the referenceplane to a position less than 2 mm deep (a little more than 1 mm deep)from the reference plane.

That is, the conventional disk drive apparatus compatible with minidisks is designed such that the switches SW0 and SW1 have the samestroke, but the switch SW0 projects longer in the direction of thicknessof the cartridge when the switches SW0 and SW1 are both in the offstate.

Consideration will now be given to a case where the detection hole H1 isused for writing possibility setting and is opened and closed by aslider 93 as in the disk according to this example.

Supposing that the slider 93 does not have a projection part 93 b as inthe recording and reproducing MD, for example, when the detection holeH1 is in the closed state, the switch SW1 is in contact with the sliderat a position 1 mm deep from the reference plane.

However, this state represents a substantially intermediate position inthe stroke range of the switch SW1 of the conventional model.Considering various manufacturing errors, it is disadvantageous in clearon/off determination when the disk according to this example is loadedinto the conventional model.

It is not disadvantageous in on/off determination when the switch SW1corresponding to the detection hole H1 in the disk drive apparatus inthis example (for example the storage unit 2 in FIG. 3) compatible withthe disk according to this example (high-density MD type B/type C) isdesigned with a stroke range extending from a position 1 mm deep fromthe reference plane to a position less than 3 mm deep, as with theswitch SW0. However, when a reproduction-only MD is loaded into the diskdrive apparatus in this example, the switch SW1 is pressed against thebottom surface (reference plane) of the cartridge 91 because thereproduction-only MD does not have a detection hole H1. In this state,the switch SW1 is pressed in the on direction beyond the stroke range inthe design, which can damage the switch SW1.

In order to prevent this, the stroke needs to be extended to a rangecovering the reference plane and the position less than 3 mm deep fromthe reference plane. That is, the switch SW1 of the same structure as inthe conventional model cannot be employed.

Accordingly, in this example, the slider 93 is provided with theprojection part 93 b, and when the detection hole H1 is in the closedstate, the plane of the projection part 93 b is substantially horizontallevel with the reference plane, as described above. Specifically, FIGS.11A and 11B show the open state and the closed state of the detectionhole H1 in the disk according to this example. The detection hole H1 isjudged to be in the closed state when the switch SW1 is in contact withthe position substantially horizontal level with the reference plane(that is, the projection part 93 b) and is thus in an on state, as shownin FIG. 11B. The detection hole H1 is judged to be in the open statewhen the switch SW1 is not in contact with the reference plane and isthus in an off state, as shown in FIG. 11A.

That is, the following advantages are provided by setting the detectionhole H1 in the closed state with the projection part 93 b substantiallyhorizontal level with the reference plane.

First, the detection hole H1 used for detection of reflectivity in therecording and reproducing MD and the like forms a substantiallyidentical plane with the reference plane when the slider 93 closes thedetection hole H1. The detection hole H1 is opened to such a position asto enable the switch SW1 to detect the open state fully when thedetection hole H1 is opened by the slider 93, whereby the switch SW1compatible with the disk according to this example can be realizedwithout changing the stroke of the conventional switch SW1. That is, thedisk drive apparatus supporting the disk according to this example canuse switches SW0 and SW1 of the same structure as in the conventionalmodel. This is advantageous in terms of manufacturing cost and ease ofdesign.

In addition, the use in the disk drive apparatus according to thisexample of the same switches SW0 and SW1 as in the conventional modelprevents problems of above-mentioned possibility of damage and the likewhen the reproduction-only MD is loaded into the disk drive apparatusaccording to this example. This is because the switch SW1 has a strokeoriginally set supposing absence of the detection hole H1.

Further, the unnecessary of changing (lengthening) the stroke of theswitch SW1 is advantageous in reducing size and thickness of theapparatus.

In the above example, the detection hole H1 is made long so that theprojection part 93 b of the slider 93 does not obstruct slide movement.However, the detection hole H1 can be made circular. Modifications ofthe opening and closing mechanism for this are shown in FIGS. 12A and12B and FIGS. 13A and 13B. A detection hole H1 shown in section in eachof FIGS. 12A and 12B and FIGS. 13A and 13B is a circular hole providedin a cartridge 91.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show an example of an opening and closing mechanismformed by a slider 295 and a rotating lid 296. The slider 295 is slid tostates shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B by operation of the user.

An axis part 296 b of the rotating lid 296 is journaled to be rotatableby a bearing part 297 within the cartridge 91. Another axis part 296 cof the rotating lid is journaled by a bearing part 298 provided to theslider 295.

In the state of FIG. 12A, a circular projecting part 296 a formed on therotating lid 296 is inserted into the detection hole H1, whereby thedetection hole H1 is closed by a surface substantially horizontal levelwith the bottom surface of the cartridge 91.

Then, when the slider 295 is slid in a direction of an arrow a as inFIG. 12B, the axis part 296 c is pulled, and thereby the rotating lid296 is rotated on the axis part 296 b in a direction of an arrow b,whereby the projecting part 296 a is detached from the detection hole H1to form an open state.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show an example of an opening and closing mechanismformed by a slider 399 and an ascending and descending lid 398. Theslider 399 is slid to states shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B by operation ofthe user.

A camshaft 398 a of the ascending and descending lid 398 is fitted in acam groove 399 a provided to the slider 399.

In the state of FIG. 13A, a circular projecting part 398 b formed on theascending and descending lid 398 is inserted into the detection hole H1,whereby the detection hole H1 is closed by a surface substantiallyhorizontal level with the bottom surface of the cartridge 91.

Then, when the slider 399 is slid in a direction of an arrow c as inFIG. 13B, the camshaft 398 a of the ascending and descending lid 398slides within the cam groove 399 a, and accordingly the ascending anddescending lid 398 moves in a direction of an arrow d. Thereby theprojecting part 398 b is detached from the detection hole H1 to form anopen state.

With such opening and closing mechanisms, for example, the detectionhole H1 does not need to be a long hole and can be of the same circularshape as the detection hole H0. The circular detection hole H1 has anadvantage in that an area from which dust and the like enter thecartridge 91 is reduced as compared with a long hole.

5. Determining Disk Type

As described above, meanings of the detection holes H0 and H1 of thecartridge 91 differ depending on the disk type. Thus, the disk driveapparatus in this example needs to determine the disk type to interpretstates of the detection holes H0 and H1 when the disk 90 is loaded.Besides, it is of course essential for recording and reproducingprocessing to determine the disk type.

Methods (determining elements) for disk type determination will bedescribed below, and thereafter concrete examples of type determinationprocessing using combinations of the various determining elements willbe described.

FIG. 14 shows relations between the various determining elements anddisk types.

In this case, listed as determining elements using reflected lightinformation obtained by the optical head 20 are disk reflectivity, phasedifference due to groove depth, U-TOC contents, P-TOC contents, ADIPaddress structure, and BCA (Burst Cutting Area).

Incidentally, FIG. 14 also shows states of the detection holes H0 and H1as elements for determining whether or not writing is possible ratherthan elements for disk type determination and shows whether writing isenabled/disabled on the basis of the states of the detection holes H0and H1. This is because these are used for disk type determination insome cases.

As will be described later in more detail, the disk drive apparatus(storage unit 2) in this example detects a disk type from a part of diskreflectivity, phase difference due to groove depth, U-TOC contents,P-TOC contents, ADIP address structure, and BCA, or the states of thedetection holes H0 and H1 in addition thereto. The disk drive apparatusalso determines whether or not writing is possible using both theopen/closed states of the detection holes H0 and H1 and the determineddisk type.

Disk type determination methods <1> to <6> are shown in a lower part ofFIG. 14, where combinations of determining elements used in theindividual determining methods are represented by ⊚. Processing of theindividual disk type determination methods <1> to <6> will be describedlater.

Description will first be made of the determining elements of diskreflectivity, phase difference due to groove depth, U-TOC contents,P-TOC contents, ADIP address structure, and BCA.

<Disk Reflectivity>

As described above, the reflectivity of optical disks having embossedpits formed thereon is high at about 70%, whereas the reflectivity ofmagneto-optical disks performing magnetic field recording is low atabout 15 to 30%. Thus, as shown in FIG. 14, the reproduction-only MD andthe reproduction-only high-density MD have the high reflectivity (H),and the recording and reproducing MD and the high-density MD type A/typeB/type C have the low reflectivity (L). That is, by determining thereflectivity, it is possible to determine whether the disk is areproduction-only MD or a reproduction-only high-density MD, or anothertype, that is, one of a recording and reproducing MD and a high-densityMD type A/type B/type C.

The reflectivity can be detected by a circuit as shown in FIG. 15A. FIG.15A shows a photodetector PD having four divided light receivingsurfaces A, B, C, and D. This photodetector PD is one of a plurality ofphotodetectors PD disposed within the optical head 20.

Adders 211, 212, and 213 and a comparator 214 in FIG. 15A can be formedwithin the RF amplifier 22, for example.

The adder 211 adds together photoelectrically converted signals from thelight receiving surfaces A and B of the photodetector PD.

The adder 212 adds together photoelectrically converted signals from thelight receiving surfaces C and D of the photodetector PD.

The adder 213 adds together outputs of the adders 211 and 212. Thus, asum signal from the light receiving surfaces A, B, C, and D, that is, areflected light amount signal is obtained from the adder 213.

The comparator 214 compares the sum signal with a reference value th,and then outputs a result of the comparison as an FOK signal. This FOKsignal indicates a focus pull-in range at a time of focus search.

Consideration will now be given to focus search in which the objectivelens within the optical head 20 is forcefully moved in a directiontoward and away from the disk 90 to perform focus servo pull-in.

As is already known, a focus error signal FE of an astigmatic system,for example, is a signal (A+C)−(B+D) from the four-divided-part detectoras shown in FIG. 15A, for example. Such a focus error signal FE forms anS-shaped curve around a focusing point. A zero-crossing point in alinear region of the S-shaped curve is a focus point. Focus servocontrol is performed as control for pull-in to the zero-crossing pointof the S-shaped curve.

A positional range of the objective lens (positional range in thedirection toward and away from the disk) in which the S-shaped curveappears is extremely narrow as compared with a moving stroke range ofthe objective lens. Thus, for first pull-in to turn on the focus servo,the objective lens is moved forcefully to find a range where theS-shaped curve is obtained. This is focus search.

In this case, the above-mentioned sum signal has amplitude as shown inFIG. 15B in a focus pull-in range. The FOK signal in FIG. 15C obtainedby comparing the amplitude with a predetermined reference value thindicates a range where an S-shaped curve appears as a focus errorsignal FE not shown in the figure.

Since the amount of reflected light obtained by the photodetector PD ofcourse differs between the case of a disk with a high reflectivity andthe case of a disk with a low reflectivity, various settings at thetimes of focus search, data reproduction, and the like are changed. Forexample, if a gain for a reflected light signal from a disk with a lowreflectivity is not increased, a satisfactory signal cannot be obtained.

Utilizing this fact, when whether the disk is a high reflectivity diskor a low reflectivity disk is not known, that is, when reflectivitydetection for disk type determination is to be performed, it suffices toperform focus search operation with a setting corresponding to highreflectivity disks (for example a low gain setting).

When the disk is a high reflectivity disk, focus search with the settingcorresponding to high reflectivity disks provides a curve such as asolid line in FIG. 15B as a sum signal at a certain point. That is, theFOK signal becomes “H” at a certain point.

On the other hand, when the disk is a low reflectivity disk, only alow-level curve such as a broken line in FIG. 15 is obtained as a sumsignal. That is, the FOK signal is not detected within a period of focussearch.

Thus, whether the loaded disk is a high reflectivity disk or a lowreflectivity disk can be detected by performing focus search operationwith the setting corresponding to high reflectivity disks anddetermining whether the FOK signal is obtained during the focus searchoperation.

<Phase Difference Due to Groove Depth>

A phase difference between a push-pull signal and a pull-in signal (sumsignal) obtained as reflected light information occurs depending ondepth of a groove (pit) formed on the disk.

Considering a phase difference of the pull-in signal with respect to thepush-pull signal as shown in FIG. 14, the reproduction-only MD, thereproduction-only high-density MD, and the high-density MD type C causea phase advance of λ/4 to λ/2 (λ: wavelength), while the recording andreproducing MD and the high-density MD type A/type B cause a phase delayof 0 to λ/4.

Thus, by determining the phase difference, it is possible to determinewhether the disk is one of a recording and reproducing MD, areproduction-only high-density MD, and a high-density MD type C, or oneof a recording and reproducing MD and a high-density MD type A/type B.

A configuration of FIG. 16, for example, suffices for phase differencedetermination. Individual parts shown in the figure may be distributedin the optical head 20, the RF amplifier 22, the storage controller 32,and the like.

When phase difference is determined with this configuration, theobjective lens is moved from the inner circumference of the disk to theouter circumference of the disk with the focus servo for the objectivelens within the optical head 20 turned on and a tracking servo turnedoff.

Regarding photoelectrically converted signals detected by detectingsurfaces A, B, C, and D of a photodetector PD within the optical head 20as shown in FIG. 16, first the signals from the detecting surfaces A andD are added together by an adder 228 and the signals from the detectingsurfaces B and C are added together by an adder 229. Then, outputs ofthe adders 228 and 229 are each supplied to a tracking error signaloperation unit 221 and a pull-in signal operation unit 225.

The tracking error signal operation unit 221 calculates a push-pullsignal P/P=(A+D)−(B+C) obtained by subtracting the signals of the lightreceiving surface B+C from the signals of the light receiving surfaceA+D as a tracking error signal TE. The operation unit 221 supplies thetracking error signal TE to a comparator 222 as binarizing means.

The pull-in signal operation unit 225 supplies a total light amountsignal (sum signal) obtained by adding together the signals from thelight receiving surfaces A, B, C, and D as a pull-in signal PI to acomparator 226 as binarizing means.

The comparator 222 binarizes the tracking error signal TE by comparingthe tracking error signal TE with a slice level TE slice and thensupplies binarized data TE comp to an inverter 223. The inverter 223inverts the binarized data TE comp and supplies the inverted binarizeddata to a data input terminal D of a D flip-flop determination circuit224.

The comparator 226 binarizes the push-pull signal PI by comparing thepush-pull PI with a slice level PI slice and supplies binarized data PIcomp to an inverter 227. The inverter 227 inverts the binarized data PIcomp and supplies the inverted binarized data to a clock input terminalof the D flip-flop determination circuit 224.

The D flip-flop determination circuit 224 latches the inverted binarizeddata TE comp′ from the comparator 222 in synchronism with a rising edgeof the inverted binarized data PI comp′ from the comparator 226. Thatis, the D flip-flop determination circuit 224 generates a result ofdetermination of a disk type by detecting a phase difference between thePI signal and the TE signal and outputs the result. The D flip-flopdetermination circuit 224 is disposed within the storage controller 32,for example. The storage controller 32 determines the phase differenceon the basis of the result of determination by the D flip-flopdetermination circuit 224.

FIG. 17 shows movement of a spot SP at a section of an MD and reproducedwaveforms of a PI signal and a TE signal corresponding to the movementof the spot SP. FIG. 17 shows a case where the TE signal is delayed 90degrees with respect to the PI signal, that is, the phase difference is90 degrees.

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, and 18E show waveforms detected by parts ofFIG. 16 when the disk 90 is a recording and reproducing MD or ahigh-density MD type A/type B. The D flip-flop determination circuit 224latches inverted binarized data TE comp′ in synchronism with a risingedge of inverted binarized data PI comp′, and thereby outputs an H.

FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D, and 19E show waveforms detected by parts ofFIG. 16 when the disk 90 is a reproduction-only MD, a reproduction-onlyhigh-density MD, or a high-density MD type C.

In this case, the D flip-flop determination circuit 224 latches invertedbinarized data TE comp′ in synchronism with a rising edge of invertedbinarized data PI comp′, and thereby outputs an L.

The phase of the pull-in signal PI (FIG. 19B) with respect to thetracking error signal TE (push-pull signal P/P) in the high-density MDtype C as a disk having a groove is inverted in polarity as comparedwith the case (FIG. 18B) of the other groove disks, that is, therecording and reproducing MD or the high-density MD type A/type B,because the high-density MD type C has a greater groove depth of 160 to180 nm.

As shown in FIG. 20, amplitude of the tracking error signal (push-pullsignal P/P) is changed from + to − at a groove depth of 125 nm. From alaser wavelength of 780 nm and an index of disk refraction of 1.57, thedepth d at which this polarity inversion occurs is determined by(780/4)/1.57.

As is understood from the above description, an “H” or an “L” as a latchoutput of the D flip-flop determination circuit 224 is a result ofdetection of phase difference.

Specifically, in the case of the configuration of FIG. 16, when thelatch output of the D flip-flop determination circuit 224 is an “H” asin FIGS. 18A to 18E, the loaded disk 90 causes a phase delay of 0 to λ/4as a phase difference of a pull-in signal PI with respect to a push-pullsignal P/P, and it can therefore be determined that the disk 90 iseither a recording and reproducing MD or a high-density MD type A/typeB. On the other hand, when the latch output of the D flip-flopdetermination circuit 224 is an “L,” the loaded disk 90 causes a phaseadvance of λ/4 to λ/2 as a phase difference of a pull-in signal PI withrespect to a push-pull signal P/P, and it can therefore be determinedthat the disk 90 is one of a reproduction-only MD, a reproduction-onlyhigh-density MD, and a high-density MD type C.

Incidentally, in such phase difference detection, since the disk haseccentricity in practice, the spot SP repeatedly moves to the innercircumference side of the disk and to the outer circumference side ofthe disk in a state in which the tracking servo is not turned on. Thus,since a traveling direction needs to be fixed, the objective lens or thewhole of the optical block (optical head) needs to be moved from theinner circumference to the outer circumference, for example, at aconstant speed exceeding an amount of movement caused by theeccentricity.

In addition, in such phase difference detection, it is ensured that theoptical head 20 is situated in a groove area (to be described later) ofthe disk in advance. Since the reproduction-only MD and thereproduction-only high-density MD do not have a groove area, phasedifference detection after identifying a groove area makes it possibleto determine whether the disk is a recording and reproducing MD, ahigh-density MD type A/type B, or a high-density MD type C.

<P-TOC/U-TOC>

It is known that a mini disk system has managing information referred toas P-TOC and U-TOC recorded at a position on the inner circumferenceside of a disk.

Contents of the managing information include disk type information, andtherefore the contents of the managing information referred to as P-TOCand U-TOC can be used for disk type determination.

Prior to description of a disk determination method based on themanaging information, area structures of various disks will first bedescribed.

FIG. 21A shows an area in a form of a band in a direction of a radius ofa disk from an inner circumference side to an outer circumference sideof the disk as an area structure of the reproduction-only MD.

As shown in FIG. 21A, an innermost circumference side of the disk is alead-in area, in which P-TOC is recorded. A data area is formedfollowing the P-TOC. The data area has audio data recorded therein inadvance in track (musical piece) units. Addresses of recorded tracks,positions of the areas, and the like are managed by the P-TOC. Anoutermost circumference side of the disk is a lead-out area.

In the case of the recording and reproducing MD, all the areas are pitareas, where data is recorded by embossed pits.

FIG. 21B shows an area structure of the recording and reproducing MD.

In this case, P-TOC and U-TOC are recorded in a lead-in area on an innercircumference side. In a data area, audio tracks can be recorded andreproduced by a user side.

In the case of the recording and reproducing MD, only the P-TOC area onan inner circumference side of the lead-in area is a pit area withembossed pits, and the U-TOC area, the data area, and a lead-out areaare groove areas, where recording and reproduction is enabled bymagneto-optical recording.

Tracks recorded in the data area are managed by the U-TOC, and contentsof the U-TOC are rewritten in response to recording, erasure, andediting in the data area. The P-TOC manages basic area positions and thelike.

FIG. 21C shows an area structure of the high-density MD type A. As isunderstood from the figure, the area structure of the high-density MDtype A is the same as that of the recording and reproducing MD.

Files of audio, video, or other kinds of data recorded in a data areaare managed by a FAT system, in addition to area management by P-TOC andU-TOC.

FIG. 22A shows an area structure of the high-density MD type B.

In this case, an innermost circumference side of the disk is a mirrorarea (BCA: Burst Cutting Area). In this area, a pattern in a form of barcode is formed in a radiating manner to record a predetermined ID andthe like.

The BCA is followed by a lead-in area, in which P-TOC and U-TOC arerecorded. A P-TOC area is a pit area with embossed pits. A U-TOC area, adata area, and a lead-out area are groove areas, where recording andreproduction is possible. Also in this case, data files recorded in thedata area are managed by the FAT system, in addition to area managementby the P-TOC and the U-TOC.

FIG. 22B shows the reproduction-only high-density MD. This is areproduction-only type of the high-density MD type B. Therefore, alead-in area includes only P-TOC. All areas excluding a mirror area arepit areas.

FIG. 22C shows an area structure of the high-density MD type C.

Also in this case, a mirror area (BCA) is formed on an innermostcircumference side. A lead-in area has managing information referred toas P-TOP recorded therein rather than P-TOC and U-TOC.

The lead-in area, a data area, and a lead-out area are groove areas.

The area structures of the individual disks have been described above.On the basis of the description, disk type determination based on P-TOCand U-TOC will be described.

Determination based on P-TOC will first be described.

FIG. 23 shows a structure of a first sector (sector 0) of a P-TOCcluster.

The P-TOC sector 0 has a 12-byte sync pattern at a head thereof,followed by an address (a cluster address and a sector address) of thesector itself. Incidentally, the sync pattern and the address are commonto all sectors in a mini disk format.

A system ID of four bytes is recorded at a predetermined byte position.

Further, recorded are a disk type, recording power, a first tracknumber, a last track number, a lead-out area start address, a powercalibration area start address, a U-TOC start address, and a recordableuser area start address. That is, information for managing areastructure and disk properties is recorded.

Then, a pointer portion and a table portion are provided. The tableportion is formed by a parts table in which a start address/end addressof a part forming a track and track mode information are managed. Theparts table is specified by pointers (P-TN01 to P-TN0255) in the pointerportion, whereby each track is managed.

The pointers P-TN01 to P-TN0255 correspond to a first track to a 255thtrack, respectively.

It is to be noted that tracks are managed by the P-TOC in the case ofthe reproduction-only MD. In the case of the recording and reproducingMD, each track is managed by a pointer portion and a table portion ofU-TOC to be described later.

As described above, the system ID is recorded in the P-TOC. As thesystem ID, information “MINI” is recorded by an ASCII code in the caseof the first-generation MDs (the reproduction-only MD and the recordingand reproducing MD).

In the case of the high-density MD type B, on the other hand, a codeindicating a high-density MD (for example “Hi-MD”) is recorded as thesystem ID.

Hence, it is possible to determine a disk type as shown in FIG. 14 onthe basis of whether the code “Hi-MD” indicating a high-density MD ispresent as the system ID of the P-TOC.

Specifically, when the code “Hi-MD” indicating a high-density MD is notpresent, the disk is a reproduction-only MD, a recording and reproducingMD, or a high-density MD type A.

When the code “Hi-MD” indicating a high-density MD is present, the diskis either a high-density MD type B or a reproduction-only high-densityMD.

As shown in FIG. 22C, the high-density MD type C does not have P-TOC.Hence, when the P-TOC itself is not present, the disk is a high-densityMD type C.

Determination based on U-TOC will next be described.

FIG. 24 shows a structure of a first sector (sector 0) of a U-TOCcluster.

The U-TOC sector 0 has a 12-byte sync pattern at a head thereof,followed by an address (a cluster address and a sector address) of thesector itself.

In addition, a maker code, a model code, a first track number, a lasttrack number, a used sector within the U-TOC, a disk serial number, anda system ID are recorded at a predetermined byte position.

Then, a pointer portion and a table portion are provided. The tableportion is formed by a parts table in which a start address/end addressof a part forming a track and track mode information are managed. Theparts table is specified by pointers (P-DFA, P-EMPTY, P-FRA, and P-TN01to P-TN0255) in the pointer portion, whereby each track is managed.

The pointers P-TN01 to P-TN0255 correspond to a first track to a 255thtrack, respectively.

The pointer P-DFA manages a defective area on the disk.

The pointer P-EMPTY manages an unused parts table.

The pointer P-FRA manages an unrecorded area (free area) in the dataarea.

The recording and reproducing MD allows tracks to be recorded, erased,and edited. For this, the U-TOC performs track management. Contents ofthe pointer portion and the parts table are rewritten in response torecording/erasure/editing.

As the maker code, a code number assigned to a maker is recorded. In thehigh-density MD type A/type B, in particular, an identifier indicating adisk of a high-density format (Hi-MD format: the format of the typeA/type B in FIG. 2B) is recorded in the area of the maker code.

Thus, a type determination as shown in FIG. 14 can be made on the basisof this maker code information.

Specifically, when the code indicating the high-density MD format is notpresent in the U-TOC, the disk is a recording and reproducing MD.

When the code indicating the high-density MD format is present in theU-TOC, the disk is a high-density MD type A or a high-density MD type B.

As shown in FIG. 22C, the high-density MD type C does not have U-TOCrecorded therein. As shown in FIG. 21A and FIG. 22B, the U-TOC itself isnot present in the reproduction-only MD and the reproduction-onlyhigh-density MD. Thus, when the U-TOC is not present, the disk is eithera high-density MD type C, a reproduction-only MD, or a reproduction-onlyhigh-density MD.

Incidentally, in the case of the high-density MD type A or thehigh-density MD type B, information indicating the high-density formatis recorded in a part of each file (data track) recorded in the dataarea. Therefore, the information can be used for a similardetermination.

<BCA>

As is understood from FIG. 21A to FIG. 22C, BCA is provided or notprovided according to the disk type. Also, the disk type is presented asinformation recorded in the BCA. Thus, on the basis of presence orabsence of the BCA and information recorded therein, the disk type canbe determined as shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 25A shows a disk without a BCA, and FIG. 25B shows a disk with aBCA.

As is understood from a comparison between FIGS. 25A and 25B, the BCA inFIG. 25B is a radial bar code pattern in an area corresponding to aninner circumference side of a radial position as a lead-in area in FIG.25A.

The BCA is a bar code pattern radiating in a direction of a radius, sothat bar code information can be read without particular trackingcontrol.

The bar code is used to record a code indicating “Hi-MD 1.5” in the caseof the high-density MD type B and record a code indicating “Hi-MD 3” inthe case of the high-density MD type C.

The following determination can be made on the basis of presence orabsence of the BCA and information contents of the BCA.

When the BCA is not present, the disk is a recording and reproducing MD,a reproduction-only MD, or a high-density MD type A.

When the BCA is present and information indicating “Hi-MD 1.5” isrecorded therein, the disk is a high-density MD type B or areproduction-only high-density MD.

When the BCA is present and information indicating “Hi-MD 3” is recordedtherein, the disk is a high-density MD type C.

<ADIP Address Structure>

A disk type determination can also be made on the basis of addressstructure.

An ADIP address is represented by groove wobbling. Therefore, thereproduction-only MD and the reproduction-only high-density MD having nogroove formed thereon have no ADIP address. The reproduction-only MD andthe reproduction-only high-density MD only have addresses recorded on asubcode format within data.

On the other hand, disks with a groove area have an ADIP addressrecorded thereon. Of the disks having a groove area, the high-density MDtype C has a different ADIP address format from that of the other disks.

FIG. 26A shows an ADIP address format of the recording and reproducingMD and the high-density MD type A/type B. FIG. 26B shows an ADIP addressformat of the high-density MD type C.

First, in the ADIP address format of FIG. 26A, one unit address isformed by 42 bits, and the address includes a sync of 4 bits, a clusternumber of 16 bits, a sector number of 8 bits, and a CRC of 14 bits.

On the other hand, in the ADIP address format of FIG. 26B, one unitaddress is similarly formed by 42 bits, and the address includes a syncof 4 bits, a cluster number of 16 bits, a sector number of 4 bits, andan ECC of 18 bits.

That is, the error correction decode system is different. Thus, byperforming ADIP decoding and determining whether an address can beextracted by ECC processing, for example, it is possible to make a typedetermination as shown in FIG. 14.

Thus, when an address can be obtained by ECC decoding after diskreproduction operation and ADIP decoding, the disk is a high-density MDtype C.

When an address cannot be obtained by ECC decoding after diskreproduction operation and ADIP decoding, the disk is either a recordingand reproducing MD or a high-density MD type A/type B.

When ADIP information cannot be obtained after disk reproductionoperation, the disk is a reproduction-only MD or a reproduction-onlyhigh-density MD.

The determining elements for disk determination from signals based onreflected light information obtained by the optical head 20 have beendescribed above. With combinations of these determining elements, it ispossible to determine six disk types (the reproduction-only MD, therecording and reproducing MD, the high-density MD type A, thehigh-density MD type B, the reproduction-only high-density MD, and thehigh-density MD type C) in the category of mini disks.

Combinations of determining elements, which combinations make typedetermination possible as disk type determination methods <1> to <6>,are represented by ⊚ in the lower part of FIG. 14.

Disk type determination can be made by one of the disk typedetermination methods <1> to <6>.

Incidentally, Δ entered for reflectivity in the disk type determinationmethods <1> to <4> in FIG. 14 denotes that reflectivity is notnecessarily needed in combinations for type determination. That is,theoretically, disk type determination can be made without reflectivitydetection by using combinations of the other determining elements.However, the reflectivity detection can be advantageous whendetermination processing speed is taken into consideration, and thussome of flowcharts to be described below include reflectivity detection.

For reflectivity determination, the above-mentioned reflectivitydetermination from reflected light information is not necessarilyrequired. For example, as described above, the detection hole H1 in thereproduction-only MD, the recording and reproducing MD, and thehigh-density MD type A indicates reflectivity. Therefore, reflectivitydetermination can be made by the detection hole H1 depending oncombinations of determining elements.

Description will be made below of disk type determination processingshown as the disk type determination methods <1> to <6> in FIG. 14.

Incidentally, processing of each flowchart is control and determinationprocessing performed by the storage controller 32.

[Disk Type Determination Method <1>]

The disk type determination method <1> is an example of combination ofreflectivity detection, phase difference detection, and managinginformation detection (P-TOC detection and U-TOC detection).

FIG. 27 represents processing of the disk type determination method <1>.

In disk type determination processing of FIG. 27, reflectivity is firstdetermined by the above-described method in step F101. When it isdetermined that the loaded disk is a high reflectivity disk, theprocessing proceeds to step F104 to reproduce a P-TOC area. Then whetherthe code “Hi-MD” indicating a high-density MD is recorded as a system IDof the P-TOC is determined.

When the code indicating a high-density MD is present, the processingproceeds to step F108 to determine that the disk is a reproduction-onlyhigh-density MD.

When the code indicating a high-density MD is not recorded, on the otherhand, the processing proceeds to step F109 to determine that the disk isa reproduction-only MD.

When it is determined in step F101 that the loaded disk is a lowreflectivity disk, the processing proceeds to step F102 to determinewhether a position, which is now being traced by the optical head 20, onthe disk is a groove area.

Physical area structures on disks have a pit area, a groove area, and amirror area, as shown in FIGS. 21A to 21C and FIGS. 22A to 22C. Which ofthese areas the optical head 20 is now in can be determined from a sumsignal (A+B+C+D) or an amplitude level of an RF signal. For example, thedetermination can be made by detecting a peak level/bottom level ofamplitude of the RF signal, thereby determining an amplitude level, andcomparing the amplitude level with a predetermined threshold level.

When it is determined in step F102 that the position, which is now beingtraced by the optical head 20, on the disk is not the groove area, theprocessing proceeds to step F103, where the sled mechanism is controlledto move the optical head 20 to the groove area. Then, the processingreturns to step F102 to determine whether the position, which is nowbeing traced by the optical head 20, on the disk is the groove area.

When the optical head 20 is in the groove area as a result of theprocess in steps F102 and F103, phase detection is performed by theabove-described method in step F105.

When a phase advance of a pull-in signal PI with respect to a push-pullsignal P/P is detected, the processing proceeds to step F110 todetermine that the disk is a high-density MD type C.

When a phase delay is detected in step F105, P-TOC detection isperformed in step F106. Specifically, a P-TOC area is reproduced todetermine whether the code “Hi-MD” indicating a high-density MD isrecorded as a system ID.

When the code indicating a high-density MD is present, the processingproceeds to step F111 to determine that the loaded disk is ahigh-density MD type B.

When the code indicating a high-density MD is not recorded, on the otherhand, the processing proceeds to step F107 to next determine U-TOCcontents. Then, presence or absence of an identifying code indicatingthe high-density format (Hi-MD) in a maker code of the U-TOC asdescribed above is determined. When the identifying code indicating thehigh-density format is present, the processing proceeds to step F112 todetermine that the loaded disk is a high-density MD type A.

When the identifying code indicating the high-density format is notpresent in the U-TOC, the processing proceeds to step F113 to determinethat the loaded disk is a recording and reproducing MD.

By the above processing using a combination of reflectivity detection,phase difference detection, and managing information detection (P-TOCdetection and U-TOC detection), it is possible to determine the type ofthe reproduction-only MD, the recording and reproducing MD, thehigh-density MD type A, the high-density MD type B, thereproduction-only high-density MD, or the high-density MD type C.

[Disk Type Determination Method <2>]

The disk type determination method <2> is an example of combination ofreflectivity detection, managing information detection (P-TOC detectionand U-TOC detection), and address structure detection.

FIG. 28 represents processing of the disk type determination method <2>.

In disk type determination processing of FIG. 28, reflectivity is firstdetermined by the above-described method in step F201. When it isdetermined that the loaded disk is a high reflectivity disk, theprocessing proceeds to step F204 to reproduce a P-TOC area. Then whetherthe code “Hi-MD” indicating a high-density MD is recorded as a system IDof the P-TOC is determined.

When the code indicating a high-density MD is present, the processingproceeds to step F208 to determine that the loaded disk is areproduction-only high-density MD.

When the code indicating a high-density MD is not recorded, on the otherhand, the processing proceeds to step F209 to determine that the loadeddisk is a reproduction-only MD.

When it is determined in step F201 that the loaded disk is a lowreflectivity disk, the processing proceeds to step F202 to determinewhether a position, which is now being traced by the optical head 20, onthe disk is a groove area.

When it is determined in step F202 that the position is not the groovearea, the processing proceeds to step F203, where the sled mechanism iscontrolled to move the optical head 20 to the groove area. Then, theprocessing returns to step F202 to determine whether the position is thegroove area.

When the optical head 20 is in the groove area as a result of theprocess in steps F202 and F203, ADIP address format determination ismade in step F205.

Specifically, in ADIP address decode processing, whether an ADIP addressis obtained by ECC decoding is determined. When an ADIP address isobtained by ECC decoding, the processing proceeds to step F210 todetermine that the disk is a high-density MD type C.

When an ADIP address is not obtained by ECC decoding in step F205, P-TOCdetection is performed in step F206. Specifically, a P-TOC area isreproduced to determine whether the code “Hi-MD” indicating ahigh-density MD is recorded as a system ID.

When the code indicating a high-density MD is present, the processingproceeds to step F211 to determine that the loaded disk is ahigh-density MD type B.

When the code indicating a high-density MD is not recorded, on the otherhand, the processing proceeds to step F207 to next determine U-TOCcontents. Then, presence or absence of the identifying code indicatingthe high-density format in a maker code of the U-TOC is determined. Whenthe identifying code indicating the high-density format is present, theprocessing proceeds to step F212 to determine that the loaded disk is ahigh-density MD type A.

When the identifying code indicating the high-density format is notpresent in the U-TOC, the processing proceeds to step F213 to determinethat the loaded disk is a recording and reproducing MD.

By the above processing using a combination of reflectivity detection,address structure detection, and managing information detection (P-TOCdetection and U-TOC detection), it is possible to determine the type ofthe reproduction-only MD, the recording and reproducing MD, thehigh-density MD type A, the high-density MD type B, thereproduction-only high-density MD, or the high-density MD type C.

[Disk Type Determination Method <3>]

The disk type determination method <3> determines a disk type bymanaging information detection (U-TOC detection), detecting a BCA as aspecific area, and using a result of determination of whether thedetection hole H1 of the cartridge 91 is opened or closed.

FIG. 29 represents processing of the disk type determination method <3>.

In disk type determination processing of FIG. 29, the sled mechanism iscontrolled to move the optical head 20 to an innermost circumferenceside of the disk in first step F301.

Then, presence or absence of a BCA is determined in step F302. Thepresence or absence of a BCA can be determined on the basis of whetherthe innermost circumference side is judged to be a mirror area by anarea determining method described in the description of step F102 inFIG. 27. That is, when the innermost circumference side of the disk is amirror area, it can be determined that a BCA is present.

When a BCA is present, the processing proceeds to step F305 to reproduceinformation of a bar code pattern of the BCA. When the code indicating“Hi-MD 3” can be detected, the processing proceeds to step F307 todetermine that the loaded disk is a high-density MD type C.

When the code indicating “Hi-MD 3” cannot be detected as the bar codepattern of the BCA (when the code indicates “Hi-MD 1.5”), the processingproceeds to step F306 to determine whether or not a U-TOC is present.Specifically, a U-TOC area is reproduced to determine whether or notU-TOC data is present.

When the U-TOC is present, the processing proceeds to step F308 todetermine that the loaded disk is a high-density MD type B.

When the U-TOC is not present, the processing proceeds to step F309 todetermine that the loaded disk is a reproduction-only high-density MD.

When it is determined in step F302 that no BCA is present, theopen/closed state of the detection hole H1 is determined in step F303.Specifically, the on/off state of the switch SW1 of the detection holedetermination unit 34 shown in FIG. 3 is determined.

When the detection hole H1 is in the closed state (the switch SW1 ison), the processing proceeds to step F310 to determine that the loadeddisk is a reproduction-only MD.

When the detection hole H1 is in the open state (the switch SW1 is off),the processing proceeds to step F304 to determine U-TOC contents. Thatis, a U-TOC is reproduced to determine presence or absence of theidentifying code (Hi-MD) indicating the high-density format in a makercode of the U-TOC. When the identifying code indicating the high-densityformat is present, the processing proceeds to step F311 to determinethat the loaded disk is a high-density MD type A.

When the identifying code indicating the high-density format is notpresent in the U-TOC, the processing proceeds to step F312 to determinethat the loaded disk is a recording and reproducing MD.

By the above processing using a combination of managing informationdetection (U-TOC detection), BCA detection, and detection of theopen/closed state of the detection hole H1, it is possible to determinethe type of the reproduction-only MD, the recording and reproducing MD,the high-density MD type A, the high-density MD type B, thereproduction-only high-density MD, or the high-density MD type C.

[Disk Type Determination Method <4>]

The disk type determination method <4> determines a disk type byreflectivity detection, managing information detection (P-TOC detectionand U-TOC detection), and using a result of determination of thedetection holes H0 and H1.

FIG. 30 represents processing of the disk type determination method <4>.

In disk type determination processing of FIG. 30, the open/closed stateof the detection hole H0 of the cartridge 91 is determined in first stepF401. Specifically, the on/off state of the switch SW0 of the detectionhole determination unit 34 is determined.

When the detection hole H0 is in the closed state (the switch SW0 ison), the processing proceeds to step F405 to determine whether aposition, which is now being traced by the optical head 20, on the diskis a groove area. When it is determined in step F405 that the positionis not the groove area, the processing proceeds to step F406, where thesled mechanism is controlled to move the optical head 20 to the groovearea. Then, the processing returns to step F405 to determine whether theposition is the groove area.

When the optical head 20 is in the groove area as a result of theprocess in steps F405 and F406, a U-TOC is reproduced in step F410 todetermine presence or absence of the identifying code indicating thehigh-density format in a maker code of the U-TOC. When the identifyingcode indicating the high-density format is present, the processingproceeds to step F411 to determine that the loaded disk is ahigh-density MD type A.

When the identifying code indicating the high-density format is notpresent in the U-TOC, the processing proceeds to step F412 to determinethat the loaded disk is a recording and reproducing MD.

When it is determined in step F401 that the detection hole H0 is in theopen state (the switch SW0 is off), the open/closed state of thedetection hole H1 is determined in step F402. Specifically, the on/offstate of the switch SW1 of the detection hole determination unit 34 isdetermined.

When the detection hole H1 is in the closed state (the switch SW1 ison), the processing proceeds to step F407 to perform reflectivitydetection. When it is determined that the loaded disk is a highreflectivity disk, the processing proceeds to step F414 to determinethat the disk is a reproduction-only MD.

When it is determined in step F407 that the loaded disk is a lowreflectivity disk, the processing proceeds to step F409, where a P-TOCarea is reproduced to determine whether the code “Hi-MD” indicating ahigh-density MD is recorded as a system ID.

When the code indicating a high-density MD is present, the processingproceeds to step F415 to determine that the disk is a high-density MDtype B.

When the P-TOC itself is not present, on the other hand, the processingproceeds to step F416 to determine that the loaded disk is ahigh-density MD type C.

When it is detected in step F402 that the detection hole H1 is in theopen state (the switch SW1 is off), the processing proceeds to step F403to perform reflectivity detection. When it is determined that the loadeddisk is a high reflectivity disk, the processing proceeds to step F413to determine that the disk is a reproduction-only high-density MD.

When the disk is a low reflectivity disk, the processing proceeds tostep F404 to reproduce the P-TOC area. Then, whether the P-TOC ispresent is determined, or when the P-TOC is present, whether the code“Hi-MD” indicating a high-density MD is recorded as the system ID isdetermined.

When the P-TOC is not present, the processing proceeds to step F421 todetermine that the loaded disk is a high-density MD type C.

When the P-TOC is present and the code indicating a high-density MD ispresent as the system ID, the processing proceeds to step F420 todetermine that the disk is a high-density MD type B.

On the other hand, when the P-TOC is present and the code indicating ahigh-density MD is not recorded, the processing proceeds to step F422 todetermine whether a position, which position is now being traced by theoptical head 20, on the disk is a groove area. When it is determinedthat the position is not the groove area, the processing proceeds tostep F423, where the sled mechanism is controlled to move the opticalhead 20 to the groove area. Then, the processing returns to step F422 todetermine whether the position is the groove area.

When the optical head 20 is in the groove area as a result of theprocess in steps F422 and F423, the U-TOC is reproduced in step F417 todetermine presence or absence of the identifying code indicating thehigh-density format. When the identifying code indicating thehigh-density format is present, the processing proceeds to step F419 todetermine that the loaded disk is a high-density MD type A.

When the identifying code indicating the high-density format is notpresent in the U-TOC, the processing proceeds to step F418 to determinethat the loaded disk is a recording and reproducing MD.

By the above processing using a combination of reflectivity detection,managing information detection (P-TOC detection and U-TOC detection),and detection of the open/closed state of the detection holes H0 and H1,it is possible to determine the type of the reproduction-only MD, therecording and reproducing MD, the high-density MD type A, thehigh-density MD type B, the reproduction-only high-density MD, or thehigh-density MD type C.

[Disk Type Determination Method <5>]

The disk type determination method <5> is an example of combination ofreflectivity detection, managing information detection (U-TOCdetection), and detection of a BCA as a specific area.

FIG. 31 represents processing of the disk type determination method <5>.

In disk type determination processing of FIG. 31, reflectivity is firstdetermined in step F501. When it is determined that the loaded disk is ahigh reflectivity disk, the processing proceeds to step F505, where thesled mechanism is controlled to move the optical head 20 to an innermostcircumference side of the disk. Then, presence or absence of a BCA isdetermined in step F506.

When the BCA is present, the processing proceeds to step F508 todetermine that the loaded disk is a reproduction-only high-density MD.

When the BCA is not present, the processing proceeds to step F509 todetermine that the loaded disk is a reproduction-only MD.

When it is determined in step F501 that the loaded disk is a lowreflectivity disk, the processing proceeds to step F502, where the sledmechanism is controlled to move the optical head 20 to the innermostcircumference side of the disk. Then, presence or absence of the BCA isdetermined in step F503.

When the BCA is present, the processing proceeds to step F507 toreproduce information of a bar code pattern of the BCA. When the codeindicating “Hi-MD 3” can be detected, the processing proceeds to stepF510 to determine that the loaded disk is a high-density MD type C.

When the code indicating “Hi-MD 3” cannot be detected as the bar codepattern of the BCA (when the code indicates “Hi-MD 1.5”), the processingproceeds to step F511 to determine that the loaded disk is ahigh-density MD type B.

When it is determined in step F503 that the BCA is not present, a U-TOCis checked in step F504. That is, a U-TOC area is reproduced todetermine presence or absence of an identifying code indicating thehigh-density format. When the identifying code indicating thehigh-density format is present, the processing proceeds to step F512 todetermine that the loaded disk is a high-density MD type A.

When the identifying code indicating the high-density format is notpresent in the U-TOC, the processing proceeds to step F513 to determinethat the loaded disk is a recording and reproducing MD.

By the above processing using a combination of reflectivity detection,managing information detection (U-TOC detection), and BCA detection, itis possible to determine the type of the reproduction-only MD, therecording and reproducing MD, the high-density MD type A, thehigh-density MD type B, the reproduction-only high-density MD, or thehigh-density MD type C.

[Disk Type Determination Method <6>]

The disk type determination method <6> is an example that performsmanaging information detection (P-TOC detection and U-TOC detection).

FIG. 32 represents processing of the disk type determination method <6>.

In first step F601, presence of a U-TOC is determined.

When the U-TOC is present, the processing proceeds to step F602 todetermine presence or absence of the identifying code indicating thehigh-density format in a maker code of the U-TOC.

When the identifying code indicating the high-density format is notpresent in the U-TOC, the processing proceeds to step F606 to determinethat the loaded disk is a recording and reproducing MD.

When the identifying code indicating the high-density format is presentin the U-TOC, the processing proceeds to step F605, where a P-TOC areais reproduced to determine whether the code “Hi-MD” indicating ahigh-density MD is recorded as a system ID.

When the code indicating a high-density MD is present, the processingproceeds to step F611 to determine that the disk is a high-density MDtype B.

When the code indicating a high-density MD is not present in the P-TOC,on the other hand, the processing proceeds to step F610 to determinethat the disk is a high-density MD type A.

When it is determined in step F601 that the U-TOC is not present,presence or absence of the P-TOC is determined in step F603.

When the P-TOC is not present, the processing proceeds to step F607 todetermine that the disk is a high-density MD type C.

When the P-TOC is present, the processing proceeds to step F604 todetermine whether the code “Hi-MD” indicating a high-density MD isrecorded as the system ID of the P-TOC.

When the code indicating a high-density MD is present, the processingproceeds to step F609 to determine that the disk is a reproduction-onlyhigh-density MD.

When the code indicating a high-density MD is not present in the P-TOC,on the other hand, the processing proceeds to step F608 to determinethat the loaded disk is a reproduction-only MD.

By the above processing using a combination of P-TOC detection and U-TOCdetection as managing information detection, it is possible to determinethe type of the reproduction-only MD, the recording and reproducing MD,the high-density MD type A, the high-density MD type B, thereproduction-only high-density MD, or the high-density MD type C.

6. Writing Possibility Determination Processing

Description will next be made of information presented by the detectionholes H0 and H1 formed in the cartridge 91 of the disk 90, andparticularly of processing for determining a state of writingpossibility setting.

As described above, the reproduction-only MD, the recording andreproducing MD, and the high-density MD type A use the detection hole H0for writing possibility setting, whereas the high-density MD type B, thereproduction-only high-density MD, and the high-density MD type C usethe detection hole H1 for writing possibility setting.

Thus, when a disk 90 is loaded into the storage unit 2, a result of disktype determination and a result of determination of the open/closedstates of the detection holes H0 and H1 are combined to determinewhether the disk 90 is writable/non-writable.

FIGS. 33A and 33B show the open/closed states of the detection holes H0and H1 as modes.

FIG. 33A shows the states of the holes as modes in the case of thereproduction-only MD, the recording and reproducing MD, and thehigh-density MD type A.

In this case, the detection hole H0 (the on/off state of the switch SW0)is used to detect writing possibility setting (write protect), and thedetection hole H1 (the on/off state of the switch SW1) is used to detectreflectivity.

Modes 0 to 3 shown in FIG. 33A are conceivable as modes of the twoswitches SW0 and SW1.

In mode 0, the detection holes H0 and H1 are both in the open state,that is, the switches SW0 and SW1 are both off.

This indicates that writing is impossible in the recording andreproducing MD and the high-density MD type A.

In mode 1, the detection hole H0 is in the open state and the detectionhole H1 is in the closed state, that is, the switch SW0 is off and theswitch SW1 is on.

This indicates the reproduction-only MD (writing is impossible).

In mode 2, the detection hole H0 is in the closed state and thedetection hole H1 is in the open state, that is, the switch SW0 is onand the switch SW1 is off.

This indicates that writing is possible in the recording and reproducingMD and the high-density MD type A.

In mode 3, the detection holes H0 and H1 are both in the closed state,that is, the switches SW0 and SW1 are both on. As is understood from theabove description with reference to FIG. 4 and FIGS. 6A and 6B, thismode 3 is impossible.

FIG. 33B shows the states of the holes as modes in the case of thehigh-density MD type B, the reproduction-only high-density MD, and thehigh-density MD type C according to the present embodiment.

In this case, the detection hole H0 is in the open state at all times(the switch SW0 is off at all times). The detection hole H1 (the on/offstate of the switch SW1) is used to detect writing possibility setting(write protect).

Also in this case, modes of the two switches SW0 and SW1 in the samestates as in FIG. 33A are set as modes 0 to 3, which are described asfollows.

Mode 0 in which the detection holes H0 and H1 are both in the openstate, that is, the switches SW0 and SW1 are both off indicates thatwriting is impossible in the high-density MD type B and the high-densityMD type C. Incidentally, the reproduction-only high-density MD is alwaysin mode 0, which indicates that writing is impossible.

Mode 1 in which the detection hole H0 is in the open state and thedetection hole H1 is in the closed state, that is, the switch SW0 is offand the switch SW1 is on indicates that writing is possible in thehigh-density MD type B and the high-density MD type C.

Mode 2 in which the detection hole H0 is in the closed state and thedetection hole H1 is in the open state, that is, the switch SW0 is onand the switch SW1 is off, and mode 3 in which the detection holes H0and H1 are both in the closed state, that is, the switches SW0 and SW1are both on are both impossible.

As is understood from FIGS. 33A and 33B, the modes corresponding to theopen/closed states of the detection holes H0 and H1 have differentmeanings depending on the disk type.

Accordingly, the storage controller 32 in the disk drive apparatus(storage unit 2) in this example performs processing of FIG. 34 or FIG.35 to determine whether or not writing on the loaded disk 90 ispossible.

The processing of FIG. 34 will first be described.

In the processing of FIG. 34, the storage controller 32 detects theon/off states of the switches SW0 and SW1 of the detection holedetermination unit 34 in first step F701. The storage controller 32thereby knows which of the modes 0 to 3 shown in FIG. 33A and FIG. 33Bis a present state.

When the present state is mode 0, the processing proceeds from step F702to step F705 to perform disk determination processing. It suffices toperform the processing of one of the above-described disk typedetermination methods <1> to <6> as this disk determination processing.

In the case of mode 0, the disk 90 is a recording and reproducing MD, ahigh-density MD type A/type B/type C, or a reproduction-onlyhigh-density MD.

When it is determined as a result of the disk determination processingin step F705 that the disk 90 is a high-density MD type C, theprocessing proceeds from step F706 to step F719 to determine that thedisk 90 is a high-density MD type C and is set in a non-writable state.

When it is determined as a result of the disk determination processingin step F705 that the disk 90 is a high-density MD type A, theprocessing proceeds from step F707 to step F720 to determine that thedisk 90 is a high-density MD type A and is set in a non-writable state.

When it is determined as a result of the disk determination processingin step F705 that the disk 90 is a high-density MD type B (excluding thecase of the reproduction-only high-density MD), the processing proceedsfrom step F708 to step F721 to determine that the disk 90 is ahigh-density MD type B and is set in a non-writable state.

When it is determined as a result of the disk determination processingin step F705 that the disk 90 is a reproduction-only high-density MD,the processing proceeds from step F709 to step F722 to determine thatthe disk 90 is a reproduction-only high-density MD and is therefore notwritable.

When it is determined as a result of the disk determination processingin step F705 that the disk 90 is a recording and reproducing MD, theprocessing proceeds from step F710 to step F723 to determine that thedisk 90 is a recording and reproducing MD and is set in a non-writablestate.

When it is determined in the disk determination processing in step F705that the disk 90 is of a disk type other than the above types, that is,when it is determined that the disk 90 is a reproduction-only MD, whichis impossible in mode 0, it is determined that a disk error has occurredin step F729.

When the state of the switches SW0 and SW1 is mode 1, the processingproceeds from step F703 to step F711 to perform disk determinationprocessing (one of the disk type determination methods <1> to <6>).

In the case of mode 1, the disk 90 is either a reproduction-only MD or ahigh-density MD type B/type C.

When it is determined as a result of the disk determination processingin step F711 that the disk 90 is a reproduction-only MD, the processingproceeds from step F712 to step F724 to determine that the disk 90 is areproduction-only MD and is therefore not writable.

When it is determined as a result of the disk determination processingin step F711 that the disk 90 is a high-density MD type C, theprocessing proceeds from step F714 to step F725 to determine that thedisk 90 is a high-density MD type C and is set in a writable state.

When it is determined as a result of the disk determination processingin step F711 that the disk 90 is a high-density MD type B (excluding thecase of the reproduction-only high-density MD), the processing proceedsfrom step F715 to step F728 to determine that the disk 90 is ahigh-density MD type B and is set in a writable state.

When it is determined in the disk determination processing in step F711that the disk 90 is of a disk type other than the above types, that is,when it is determined that the disk 90 is a recording and reproducing MDor a high-density MD type A or a reproduction-only high-density MD,which is impossible in mode 1, it is determined that a disk error hasoccurred in step F729.

When the state of the switches SW0 and SW1 is mode 2, the processingproceeds from step F704 to step F716 to perform disk determinationprocessing (one of the disk type determination methods <1> to <6>).

In the case of mode 2, the disk 90 is either a high-density MD type A ora recording and reproducing MD.

When it is determined as a result of the disk determination processingin step F716 that the disk 90 is a high-density MD type A, theprocessing proceeds from step F717 to step F727 to determine that thedisk 90 is a high-density MD type. A and is set in a writable state.

When it is determined as a result of the disk determination processingin step F716 that the disk 90 is a recording and reproducing MD, theprocessing proceeds from step F718 to step F726 to determine that thedisk 90 is a recording and reproducing MD and is set in a writablestate.

When it is determined in the disk determination processing in step F716that the disk 90 is of a disk type other than the above types, that is,when it is determined that the disk 90 is one of a reproduction-only MD,a high-density MD type B/type C, and a reproduction-only high-densityMD, which are impossible in mode 2, it is determined that a disk errorhas occurred in step F729.

When the state of the switches SW0 and SW1 is mode 2, which is animpossible mode, the processing proceeds from step F704 to step F729 todetermine that a disk error has occurred.

By such processing of FIG. 34, the storage controller 32 can correctlydetermine whether or not writing to the loaded disk 90 is possible.

FIG. 35 represents another example of similar writing possibilitydetermination processing.

In this case, the storage controller 32 in first step F801 performs diskdetermination processing, that is, one of the above-described disk typedetermination methods <1> to <6> to determine a disk type.

When the disk 90 is a reproduction-only MD, the processing proceeds fromstep F802 to step F807 to determine that the disk 90 is areproduction-only embossed pit disk and is therefore not writable.

When the disk 90 is a reproduction-only high-density MD in step F801,the processing proceeds from step F803 to step F807 to determine thatalso in this case, the disk 90 is a reproduction-only embossed pit diskand is therefore not writable.

When it is determined in step F801 that the disk 90 is a high-density MDtype C, the processing proceeds from step F804 to F808, where thestorage controller 32 detects the on/off states of the switches SW0 andSW1 of the detection hole determination unit 34. That is, the storagecontroller 32 determines which of the modes 0 to 3 shown in FIG. 33A andFIG. 33B is a present state.

When it is determined in step F808 that the present state is mode 0, theprocessing proceeds to step F812 to determine that the disk 90 is ahigh-density MD type C and is set in a non-writable state.

When it is determined in step F808 that the present state is mode 1, theprocessing proceeds to step F813 to determine that the disk 90 is ahigh-density MD type C and is set in a writable state.

When it is determined in step F808 that the present state is mode 2 ormode 3, this is an impossible state, and therefore the processingproceeds to step F814 to determine that a disk error has occurred.

When it is determined in step F801 that the disk 90 is a high-density MDtype B (excluding the case of the reproduction-only high-density MD),the processing of the storage controller 32 proceeds from step F805 toF809, where the storage controller 32 determines the on/off states ofthe switches SW0 and SW1 of the detection hole determination unit 34,that is, which of the modes 0 to 3 is a present state.

When it is determined in step F809 that the present state is mode 0, theprocessing proceeds to step F815 to determine that the disk 90 is ahigh-density MD type B and is set in a non-writable state.

When it is determined in step F809 that the present state is mode 1, theprocessing proceeds to step F816 to determine that the disk 90 is ahigh-density MD type B and is set in a writable state.

When it is determined in step F809 that the present state is mode 2 ormode 3, this is an impossible state, and therefore the processingproceeds to step F817 to determine that a disk error has occurred.

When it is determined in step F801 that the disk 90 is a high-density MDtype A, the processing of the storage controller 32 proceeds from stepF806 to F810, where the storage controller 32 determines the on/offstates of the switches SW0 and SW1 of the detection hole determinationunit 34, that is, which of the modes 0 to 3 is a present state.

When it is determined in step F810 that the present state is mode 0, theprocessing proceeds to step F818 to determine that the disk 90 is ahigh-density MD type A and is set in a non-writable state.

When it is determined in step F810 that the present state is mode 2, theprocessing proceeds to step F819 to determine that the disk 90 is ahigh-density MD type A and is set in a writable state.

When it is determined in step F810 that the present state is mode 1 ormode 3, this is an impossible state, and therefore the processingproceeds to step F820 to determine that a disk error has occurred.

When it is determined in step F801 that the disk 90 is a recording andreproducing MD, the processing of the storage controller 32 proceeds tostep F811, where the storage controller 32 determines the on/off statesof the switches SW0 and SW1 of the detection hole determination unit 34,that is, which of the modes 0 to 3 is a present state.

When it is determined in step F811 that the present state is mode 0, theprocessing proceeds to step F821 to determine that the disk 90 is arecording and reproducing MD and is set in a non-writable state.

When it is determined in step F811 that the present state is mode 2, theprocessing proceeds to step F822 to determine that the disk 90 is arecording and reproducing MD and is set in a writable state.

When it is determined in step F811 that the present state is mode 1 ormode 3, this is an impossible state, and therefore the processingproceeds to step F823 to determine that a disk error has occurred.

Also by such processing of FIG. 35, the storage controller 32 cancorrectly determine whether or not writing to the loaded disk 90 ispossible.

Incidentally, in the above examples, the mode 0 to 3 of the detectionholes H0 and H1 (switches SW0 and SW1) is determined.

However, whether the disk is a reproduction-only pit disk (areproduction-only MD or a reproduction-only high-density MD) or amagneto-optical recording and reproducing disk capable of recording andreproduction other than the reproduction-only pit disk can be determinedby the above-described reflectivity detection. Also, thereproduction-only pit disk is always non-writable.

Further, the mode 3 is impossible in the case of any of the disks.

Then, when whether the mode is mode 0 or mode 1 or mode 2 can bedetermined, it is possible to determine whether or not writing ispossible.

Specifically, in mode 0 in which both the switches SW0 and SW1 are off,it can be determined that “writing is impossible” in the case of any ofthe recording and reproducing MD and the high-density MD type A/typeB/type C. In mode 1 or mode 2 in which either one of the switches SW0and SW1 is on, it can be determined that “writing is possible” in thecase of any of the recording and reproducing MD and the high-density MDtype A/type B/type C.

This means that when whether the disk is a pit disk is determined byreflectivity detection from reflected light information as describedabove, an OR type configuration may be used for the detection of theswitches SW0 and SW1.

The use of the OR type for the detection of the switches SW0 and SW1makes it possible to simplify the structure of the switches SW0 and SW1.

While the embodiment has been described above, the present invention isnot limited to the foregoing embodiment, and various modificationsthereof are conceivable.

The various processing described above (disk type determinationprocessing and writing possibility determination processing) is realizedby a program executed by a control unit, which corresponds to thestorage controller 32 or the system controller 8, of the recording andreproducing apparatus (disk drive apparatus). The program therefor canbe stored in advance in the ROM 9 or the non-volatile RAM 12 of therecording and reproducing apparatus 1 in FIG. 1, or a ROM not shown,which is handled by the storage controller 32, for example.

Alternatively, the program can be stored (recorded) temporarily orpermanently on a removable recording medium such as a flexible disk, aCD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), an MO (Magnet Optical) disk, aDVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory,or the like. Such a removable recording medium can be provided asso-called packaged software and also used for designing/manufacturing ofthe disk drive apparatus and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is for example possible to recordthe program onto the disk 90 and provide the program as packagedsoftware. Thereby the recording and reproducing apparatus 1 can installthe program by reproducing the disk 90 to read the program and storingthe program in the non-volatile RAM 12 or the like.

Incidentally, the program can be not only installed from a removablerecording medium as described above but also downloaded from a server orthe like storing the program via a network such as a LAN (Local AreaNetwork), the Internet, or the like.

Further, while it is assumed herein that the recording and reproducingapparatus is compatible with disks of the mini disk (MD) system, thepresent invention is not limited to this, and is applicable to recordingmedia in another category of cartridge disks and disk drive apparatuscompatible with the recording media.

As is understood from the above description, the opening and closingmeans in the recording medium according to the present invention forms aplane substantially horizontal level with the reference plane of thecartridge at the position of the detection hole when the detection holeis in a closed state. Therefore, when the detection hole is in theclosed state, the detection hole is in the same state as the cartridgeplane of a conventional recording medium of a type having no detectionhole at the same position. Thus, a corresponding detection switch mayhave the same stroke range corresponding to a recording medium of thetype having no detection hole at the position. It is therefore notnecessary to change the structure, for example the stroke range of theswitch corresponding to the detection hole in order to support varioustypes of recording media. Thus, the recording medium of the presentinvention prevents the increase in cost of the disk drive apparatus, thehindrance to reduce of size and thickness thereof, and the like.

It is further possible to reduce the possibility of damage to the switchand the like due to change in a load on the switch as various types ofrecording media are loaded.

Further, at least a first detection hole and a second detection hole areformed in the cartridge, and the second detection hole is opened andclosed by the opening and closing means and the first detection hole isin an open state at all times. This means that the second detection holeis used for recording possibility setting, for example, and is in aclosed state in a plane substantially horizontal level with thereference plane of the cartridge. Further, the first detection holebeing in the open state at all times represents for example a state ofwriting being prohibited on a conventional type of recording medium thatuses the first detection hole specifically for writing possibilitysetting. That is, a disk drive apparatus as a conventional model candetermine that writing is prohibited.

A disk drive apparatus or a disk determining method according to thepresent invention determines, together with a disk type, determininginformation contents (for example writing possibility). Thedetermination is based on one or a plurality of detection holes formedin a cartridge, on the basis of an open/closed state of the detectionhole and a result of the disk type using a signal based on reflectedlight from a loaded recording medium.

It is thus possible to properly determine the set states of the firstdetection hole and the second detection hole according to the disk type.Therefore, it is not necessary to add a detection hole and acorresponding switch for writing possibility setting for a new disk ofvarious types of disks.

Further, by performing a combination of some of detection ofreflectivity of the disk, detection of phase difference of the signal,detection of managing information on the recording medium, detection ofan address structure on the recording medium, and detection of aspecific area on the recording medium from the signal based on reflectedlight from the disk for disk type determination, it is possible to makecorrect determination dealing with various types.

Thus, considering various recording media in a category including therecording medium according to the present invention and various diskdrive apparatus ranging from the conventional model to a modelcorresponding to the disk drive apparatus according to the presentinvention, the present invention provides for example the followingeffects of:

-   -   enabling appropriate writing possibility setting in various        combinations of recording media and disk drive apparatus by        changing meanings of the first detection hole and the second        detection hole according to the disk type,    -   enabling proper disk type determination and hence correct        determination of whether or not writing is possible on the basis        of the detection holes,    -   enabling the recording medium according to the present invention        to be set in a non-writable state by the first detection hole        (H0) for the conventional model and enabling the recording        medium according to the present invention to be set in a        writable/non-writable state by the second detection hole (H1)        for the disk drive apparatus according to the present invention,    -   preventing an operation error, data destruction, and other        problems since the disk as the recording medium according to the        present invention is set non-writable for the conventional        model,    -   providing ease of design and no disadvantages in terms of cost        and apparatus size because it is not necessary to add or change        a cartridge detection hole and a detection switch on the disk        drive apparatus side, and switch stroke conditions for a        conventional disk and a disk according to the present invention        may be the same, and    -   enabling the disk drive apparatus according to the present        invention to properly determine whether or not writing to        conventional types of disks is possible according to the states        of the detection holes.

1. A recording and reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing arecording medium as one type of disk among a plurality of types ofdisks, said disk being housed in a cartridge of a predetermined form,said recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: at least one holedetection means for detecting an open state and a closed state of aplurality of detection holes disposed at predetermined positions of saidcartridge; type determining means for irradiating said recording mediumloaded in said recording and reproducing apparatus with a light signal,and determining the type of the disk housed in said cartridge loaded insaid recording and reproducing apparatus on a basis of reflected lightfrom said disk; and hole type determining means for determining holetypes of the detection holes disposed at the predetermined positions ofsaid cartridge on a basis of a result of determination by said typedetermining means.
 2. The recording and reproducing apparatus as claimedin claim 1, wherein at least one of said determined hole types indicatesprohibition of writing to said disk.
 3. The recording and reproducingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first detection hole isdefined at a first predetermined position of said cartridge, and asecond detection hole is defined at a second predetermined position ofsaid cartridge; an open state of said second detection hole of arecording medium housing a first type of disk represents a state ofwriting to the disk being prohibited; an open state of said firstdetection hole of a recording medium housing a second type of diskrepresents a state of writing to the disk being prohibited, and saidsecond detection hole of the recording medium housing the second type ofdisk represents reflectivity of the disk; and which of the open statesof said detection holes indicating prohibition of disk writing isdetermined on the basis of the result of determination by said typedetermining means.
 4. The recording and reproducing apparatus as claimedin claim 1, wherein on a basis of a signal detected from light reflectedfrom said disk, said type determining means determines the type of thedisk by at least one of detection of reflectivity of the disk, detectionof a phase difference of said signal, detection of managing informationof the recording medium, detection of an address structure of therecording medium, and detection of a specific area of the recordingmedium.
 5. The recording and reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim4, wherein said type determining means determines the type of the diskon a basis of detection results of said detection of the reflectivity,said detection of the phase difference, said detection of the managinginformation, and said detection of the structure.
 6. The recording andreproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said typedetermining means determines the type of the disk on a basis ofdetection results of said detection of the reflectivity, said detectionof the managing information, and said detection of the structure.
 7. Therecording and reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein saidtype determining means determines the type of the disk on a basis ofdetection results of said detection of the managing information and saiddetection of the specific area and a result of detection by said holedetection means.
 8. A recording and reproducing method for recording andreproducing a recording medium as one type of disk among a plurality oftypes of disks, said disk being housed in a cartridge of a predeterminedform, said recording and reproducing method comprising: a hole detectionstep for detecting an open state and a closed state of a plurality ofdetection holes disposed at predetermined positions of said cartridge; atype determining step for irradiating said recording medium loaded insaid recording and reproducing apparatus with a light signal, anddetermining the type of the disk housed in said cartridge loaded in saidrecording and reproducing apparatus on a basis of reflected light fromsaid disk; and a hole type determining step for determining hole typesof the detection holes disposed at the predetermined positions of saidcartridge on a basis of a result of determination of the type of saiddisk.
 9. The recording and reproducing method as claimed in claim 8,wherein said determined hole types indicate whether or not writing tosaid disk is possible.
 10. The recording and reproducing method asclaimed in claim 9, wherein a disposition of a first detection hole at afirst predetermined position of said cartridge is defined, and adisposition of a second detection hole at a second predeterminedposition of said cartridge is defined; an open state of said firstdetection hole of a first type of disk represents prohibition of writingto the disk; and an open state of said second detection hole of a secondtype of disk represents prohibition of writing to the disk, and saidfirst detection hole of the second type of disk represents reflectivityof said disk.